Whether on sick leave or an official holiday, 85% of employees still receive calls from the office.

Work has encroached upon homes, vacations, and even sick days. In many countries around the world, the demand for the "Right to Disconnect" is gaining momentum.

In today's fast-paced life, maintaining a balance between work and personal life is becoming the biggest challenge. While mobile phones, emails, and messaging apps have made work easier, they have also increasingly intruded into our personal lives. The situation is such that office work is no longer confined to the office, but has extended to homes, vacations, and even sick days.

In many countries around the world, the demand for the "Right to Disconnect" is gaining momentum. This simply means that employees should not be forced to answer office calls, emails, or messages after their designated working hours. However, the situation in India tells a different story.

Whether on sick leave or an official holiday...

A recent survey conducted by the job search platform Indeed has revealed shocking figures. According to the survey, while employers in India may believe that there should be clear boundaries between work and personal life, the ground reality is quite the opposite.

The report indicates that 9 out of 10 employees receive calls, messages, or emails even after office hours. Even more concerning is that 85 percent of employees are contacted by their managers even during sick leave or official holidays – meaning that being sick or on leave makes no difference.

Survey findings

The survey also revealed that 88 percent of Indian employees remain regularly connected to the office outside of working hours. A major reason for this is fear. Around 79 percent of employees worry that if they don't answer calls or messages, their promotion might be stalled or their image at the office might be tarnished. This culture of constant availability has mentally and physically exhausted employees. People are feeling compelled to stay connected to work, even at the cost of their health, family, and personal time.

The issue has also been raised in Parliament.

Interestingly, there are now calls for legislation to address this serious problem. During the 2025 winter session of Parliament, a private member's bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, proposing to legalize the right of employees to disconnect from work. The aim was to reduce stress and promote a better work-life balance.

Gen Z vs. Baby Boomers

The survey also revealed a significant difference in mindset between generations. Approximately 88 percent of Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) believe that receiving calls after office hours makes them feel valued. For them, constant availability is a sign of dedication and responsibility. On the other hand, Gen Z (young people born between 1997 and 2012) have a completely different perspective. Only 50 percent of them view being contacted after office hours positively. Furthermore, 63 percent of Gen Z employees say they would even consider quitting their jobs if their right to disconnect is not respected. This clearly shows that the younger generation places greater importance on mental health, personal time, and a balanced life.

Employers are also facing challenges

Employers are also in a difficult position. According to the survey, 79 percent of employers believe that implementing a policy like the Right to Disconnect would be a good step. However, 66 percent fear that it might lead to decreased productivity. 81 percent of employers are also concerned that they might lose good and talented employees if work-life balance is not respected. A positive sign, however, is that 81 percent of employers are willing to pay extra for work done outside of regular working hours.

Comparison with other countries

The report also compares India with Australia and Singapore. In Australia, 90 percent of employees work outside of regular office hours, but only 47 percent of employers believe that setting strict boundaries would decrease productivity. In Singapore, 93 percent of employees work after office hours, and 78 percent of employers there are concerned about productivity. This clearly shows that this problem exists in almost every country in the Asia-Pacific region.