The Impact of Work Pressure and Stress
Indian women in professional sectors like auditing, IT, and media work over 55 hours a week.
49% of Indian workers report that workplace stress negatively impacts their mental health.
Prolonged working hours contribute to health issues such as stress, heart disease, and burnout, highlighting the need for a healthier work environment.
Right to Disconnect Laws Globally
Countries like France, Portugal, Spain, Australia, and Ireland have implemented laws that allow employees to disconnect from work outside of working hours.
These laws promote work-life balance and mental health, ensuring employees are not expected to remain reachable outside their official work hours.
India’s Legal Framework
India does not yet have specific laws recognizing the right to disconnect from work.
However, constitutional provisions address worker welfare:
Article 38: The state must promote the welfare of the people, indirectly ensuring work conditions that contribute to well-being.
Article 39(e): Directs the state to ensure that workers' strength and health are secured, supporting the need for a balanced work environment.
Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law, ensuring fairness and reasonable accommodation for employees, including those with disabilities or specific needs in the workplace.
Past court rulings have recognized the importance of dignity at work and mental health protections but have not specifically addressed the right to disconnect.
Need for Legislative Action
MP Supriya Sule introduced a Private Member Bill in 2018 that proposed the right to disconnect, with penalties for non-compliance, but no significant progress has been made.
Research shows that overworking harms both physical and mental health, linking employee happiness to greater productivity, emphasizing the need for laws to protect workers and foster a healthier, more productive workforce.
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