Kerala leads with right to disconnect bill addressing ‘always on’ work culture

Kerala has taken a decisive step towards addressing the dangers of an “always-on” work culture with the introduction of the Right to Disconnect Bill 2025. The move comes months after the death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian Perayil, a Keralite employed with EY Pune, whose passing in July 2024 amid work-related stress forced the state to confront the perils of blurred boundaries between work and personal life.

The bill, tabled by Kanjirapally MLA Dr N Jayaraj, is the first serious attempt in India to recognise that employees face mounting pressure to remain available well beyond office hours. It seeks to legally protect private-sector employees from being penalised for ignoring calls, emails, or messages after official working hours. By doing so, it aims to restore personal freedom, reduce stress, and promote mental well-being.

The proposal comes at a time when remote work, digital tools, and hybrid models have increasingly tethered employees to their jobs. The bill stresses that family time, leisure, and rest are not privileges but fundamental rights, echoing global trends where at least 13 countries, including France, already enforce similar laws.

Alongside the right to disconnect, the draft also proposes the creation of Private Sector Employment Grievance Redressal Committees in every district. These bodies would monitor corporate practices, investigate excessive workloads, check overtime compensation, and curb workplace surveillance. Their mandate would be to ensure fair treatment and protect employees from exploitation.

While the legislation is still a private member’s bill awaiting discussion, Kerala’s initiative could set the tone for national-level debates. With India yet to legislate on the issue, the state’s move signals a push to humanise workplaces in an era of rising burnout and digital overload.