In today's digital era, where technology permeates every facet of our lives, the challenge of maintaining a healthy work-life balance has intensified.?
The expectation for immediate responses has blurred the lines between work and personal life.
To tackle this issue, the global focus has shifted towards the concept of the "Right to Disconnect," which has also been gaining popularity in India.
The current technology enables constant work connectivity, which may lead to increased productivity but also poses a risk to employee's mental health and work-life balance.?
Concept of the Right to Disconnect ensures employees can disengage from work-related communication outside of work hours, prioritising downtime and a healthy work-life balance.??
The Senate Select Committee on Work and Care noted the rise of "availability creep," where employees are expected to work outside of their scheduled hours, facilitated by smartphones.?
Remote work during the pandemic exacerbated the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life.?
A 2022 report by the Centre for Future Work revealed that 71% of surveyed workers often worked outside their scheduled hours, leading to fatigue, stress, disrupted personal lives, and decreased job satisfaction.?
Parliamentary inquiries emphasised the negative impact on mental and physical health, productivity, and turnover. Unpaid overtime resulting from availability creep detracts from fair compensation for workers.??
India currently lacks specific legislation recognising the Right to Disconnect, but certain provisions in existing laws and voluntary organisational policies address excessive work demands.?
New labour laws could mitigate technology's intrusion into personal lives, acknowledging the mental health impact of after-hours work communication.?
MP Supriya Sule's 2018 bill proposed protecting employees' right to refuse post-work communication without disciplinary action.
It would align with Article 21's right to life and personal liberty if enacted. In State of Punjab v. M.S. Chawla, Article 21 was interpreted to encompass the right to health, emphasising mental well-being.?
Australia is set to table legislation to empower workers to ignore unreasonable calls and messages after work, supported by the Labor Party to uphold workers' rights.
It is taking cue from Belgium and Portugal, alongside other European countries, which introduced measures in 2022 to prohibit managers from contacting employees outside of working hours.?
Belgium granted around 65,000 federal civil servants the "right to disconnect" to promote a better work-life balance, with restrictions on contacting employees beyond designated hours.?
This move was aimed at alleviating stress and burnout, as highlighted by Belgian Minister Petra De Sutter at the time. Portugal's Labor Code similarly mandates that employers refrain from contacting workers during rest periods, with fines for violations.?
The following policies are part of a larger trend in Europe. While Europe has taken significant steps to address these issues, the United States is still behind. In 2016, France implemented the "right to disconnect" policy, followed by Italy in 2017, Spain in 2018, and Ireland in 2021.
Furthermore, the European Union (EU) acknowledges the importance of the right to disconnect and demands its declaration as a fundamental right.?
When faced with frequent after-hours work demands, it's crucial to establish boundaries in the absence of a definite legal framework in India.
First, review your employment agreement to understand your obligations. If the agreement doesn't mandate working on off days, you can consider declining requests occasionally.?
Assess the urgency of the task and negotiate reasonable deadlines if possible. If you're consistently working beyond regular hours, communicate with your boss about the need for downtime to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.
Additionally, consider your role within the organisation. If you're a project manager, avoiding after-hours communication related to projects may be challenging.?
However, if you're not directly responsible, discuss delegating tasks to others. Use your dedication to working extra hours as leverage during performance reviews for potential promotions or recognition for your commitment to the organisation's success.
Reference articles
Belgium, Portugal And Other European Countries Prohibit Managers From Contacting Employees Outside Of Working Hours?(Forbes)
Right to disconnect: The countries passing laws to stop employees working out of hours (World Economic Forum)
Smartphones mean we're always available to our bosses. 'Right to disconnect' laws are a necessary fix (PTI)
The concept of Right to Disconnect in India (Legal SYNK)
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