With Kerala becoming the first state to propose the “The Right to Disconnect” bill, we can see a shift in the workplace culture in the future.
With the aim of maintaining a work life balance, giving private employees the opportunity to avoid work related emails, calls, messages, video conferences post their fixed working hours, without the fear of punishment, shame or guilt, could come as a breather respecting the private space of the employees.
The constant stress and the need to stay online has by far devastated the workforce leading to unhealthy lifestyles that trigger unwanted medical conditions and a falling emotional and mental state of affairs.
However, only time can tell how much this proposal can be enforced and put into action. Although some entrepreneurs believe that work life balance is a myth, many would still want to welcome this much needed change.
Kerala’s proposed “Right to Disconnect” bill is a progressive step toward restoring healthy work-life balance and protecting employees’ mental well-being. However, its success will depend on how effectively organizations adapt and respect these boundaries in practice.
To maintain a healthy work-life balance, there should be a proper law in place. Otherwise, common people may be overworked, underpaid, and deprived of personal time. Family time and stress relief are essential for overall well-being, which in turn can enhance productivity.
In recent years, many CEOs have openly discussed working overtime to drive growth within their companies, as well as to facilitate international expansion. However, there should always be a clear boundary between work and personal life, and employees should not be exploited.
The law mentioned above was first implemented in France, and I truly hope that similar laws are introduced across India to promote better mental and physical health.
The Kerala government’s Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, is a commendable initiative promoting work-life balance by legally protecting employee’s right to disconnect from work communications after official hours.
This forward-thinking law, if implemented thoroughly, can significantly improve mental well-being and family time, setting an example for the rest of India. Hopefully, it will be put into practice effectively to safeguard workers rights and dignity.