A recent Census wide survey conducted on behalf of global job platform Indeed has underscored the growing prevalence of after-hours work communication in India and amplified calls for a formal Right to Disconnect law that would protect employees’ personal time.
The nationwide survey, carried out from 500 employers and 500 employees and jobseekers, reveals startling figures about workplace contact outside official hours. It shows that 88 % of employees report being contacted by their employers outside working hours, and 85 % say they receive messages or calls even during sick leave, holidays or vacation periods.
Despite the prevalence of after-hours contact, many workers feel unable to disconnect without risk. The survey found that 79 % of employees fear negative consequences — such as missed promotions, reputational damage, or project delays — if they do not respond promptly to work-related communication outside office hours.
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A generational divide also emerged: while older workers are more likely to view after-hours contact as a sign of dedication, younger employees — particularly those in Gen Z — place greater emphasis on work-life balance and mental well-being, with a growing number indicating they would consider leaving a job that fails to respect boundaries.
Interestingly, the survey also indicates a shift in employer attitudes. A significant proportion of employers — nearly 80 % — see value in implementing a formal Right to Disconnect policy, recognising it as a positive step toward better workplace balance. Many employers also express concern about losing top talent if work-life boundaries are not respected.
However, some companies feel compelled to maintain after-hours communication due to urgent project needs, deadlines, or coordination across time zones — particularly in sectors like IT and services where work often spans global teams.
The survey’s findings arrive amid broader legislative discussions in India about formalising work-life boundary protections. In December 2025, a private member’s Right to Disconnect Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, proposing to legally recognise an employee’s right to disengage from work-related communications beyond official hours and holidays.
