Companies in these 25 countries can't contact employees after work
What's the story
The 'right to disconnect,' the ability for employees to ignore work-related communications after hours, is a growing trend across the globe. At least 25 countries have implemented such rules, either completely banning or restricting after-hours work communications. In India, however, the concept is still in its infancy with a bill introduced by parliamentarian Supriya Sule facing skepticism amid an overwork culture and unpaid overtime practices.
International laws
Global laws on digital disconnection
Nations across Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and parts of Africa have enacted binding national laws requiring the employers to respect off-hours boundaries. France was the first country to adopt such a law in 2017. Other countries like Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Portugal have also introduced similar laws for teleworkers or remote workers. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Kenya, and Mozambique are also making progress on right-to-disconnect rules with provisions in their labor codes or specific telework regulations.
International response
Global recognition of personal time protection
The rise of remote work has blurred the lines between personal and professional time, with work spilling into after-hours through calls, messages, and video conferences. However, many nations are now recognizing the need to protect personal time as a major labor issue in the digital age. These changes range from universal rules for all employees to those specific for teleworkers or digital nomads.
Legislative details
India's Right to Disconnect Bill: A closer look
On December 6, Sule reintroduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The bill gives employees the legal right to ignore work-related communications after hours without fear of retaliation from employers. It also proposes an Employees' Welfare Authority for compliance enforcement and fines up to 1% of employee salary for violations. However, its success in India remains uncertain as private members' bills rarely pass in Parliament.
Past efforts
Previous attempts and current challenges
This isn't Sule's first attempt at introducing a right to disconnect in India. A similar bill was proposed in 2019, but it failed to gain traction. The post-pandemic world has seen a rise in employee burnout, overwork without remuneration, and lack of work-life balance due to constant employer contact after hours. These issues are particularly prevalent in the IT and service sectors where an expectation of 24/7 availability has become the norm.