No after-hour work calls: Sule introduces Bill on employees' right to disconnect, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) MP, introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill aims to grant employees the right to ignore work-related communication outside of work hours.
• Shashi Tharoor introduced the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking similar protections.
• The Bill proposes establishing an Employees' Welfare Authority and penalties for non-compliance.

Detailed Insights:

• The Bill addresses the increasing encroachment of employers on employees' leisure time due to hyper-connectivity.
• It draws inspiration from countries like France and Portugal that have already enacted the right to disconnect.
• The Bill cites a World Economic Forum report highlighting the risks of overwork, sleep deprivation, and stress due to constant availability.
• The proposed Employees' Welfare Authority would conduct studies, negotiate terms for out-of-hours work, and ensure overtime compensation.
• The government would provide counselling services and digital detox centers to help employees maintain work-life balance.
• Non-compliant companies would face a penalty of 1% of the employee's total remuneration.
• Private Members' Bills have a low success rate, with only 14 having become law to date.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Right to Disconnect: The right of employees to not engage in work-related communications outside of working hours.
• Employees' Welfare Authority: A proposed body to protect employees' right to disconnect and ensure fair working conditions.
• Private Member's Bill: A bill introduced in Parliament by a member who is not a minister.