The Government of Kerala has proposed the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 (Bill), seeking to grant private-sector employees a statutory right to disengage from work-related communications outside standard working hours. Positioned as a measure to support employee wellbeing in an increasingly digital work environment, the Bill marks a notable shift in how after-hours work expectations are regulated.
Key Provisions
Under the Bill, the right to disconnect is defined as the right of an employee to refuse to respond to, or continue with, any work-related notifications or communications transmitted through electronic systems such as phone, email, short messaging service, video conferencing and any similar such systems, unless they have agreed otherwise. Employees who exercise this right are protected from disciplinary consequences such as dismissal, demotion or loss of benefits.
