Right to Disconnect: No need to answer call messages after shift, rules apply in many countries including Belgium, what in India?

The phone rings suddenly at nine o'clock in the night. Seeing the call of the boss, Siddharth picks up the phone. The boss first said sorry for disturbing Siddharth and later hung up the phone after saying some urgent work. Although Siddharth's shift ended at six in the evening, since their work from home started during the Corona period, it is mentioned only in the email and employee policy of the clock. The ground reality has consistently stayed away from it. It was only nine o'clock tonight. Many times, work was done even at 11 o'clock in the night as an urgent.

Whether the job is private or government, there are more or less similar situations in almost every city, every office in India. Now the question arises why are we suddenly targeting India's work culture? The reason for this is Belgium, where the right to disconnect rule will be implemented from February 1, 2022. This would mean that no employee would be forced to answer calls or messages from his boss after the shift is over. Even before Belgium, this rule has been implemented in many countries. In such a situation, the question also arises can such a rule be applicable in India trying to join the world's superpowers? Has there ever been any attempt at this? I tried, what was the result? Know and understand in this report.

What is Right to Disconnect?

Under the Right to Disconnect rule, no officer can harass his subordinate employees by repeatedly calling, emailing, or messaging. Apart from this, the use of other means of communication for communication is also considered illegal under this rule. The Right to Disconnect rule may be new for the people of India, but it is very common in many countries of Europe. Belgium has now added a new name to this list. Here this rule will come into force from February 1, 2022. At present, this rule will only benefit people working in government services.

Under this rule, now bosses will not be able to contact those employees working in government services, whose shift has been completed, or employees who are on leave. However, there has been a slight relaxation in the rule. The employee can be contacted in an emergency or extremely unusual situation, but the officer must also give a reasonable explanation for the same. It is worth noting that this rule has not been implemented in any country in emergency services like doctors, army, police, etc.

In which countries is this rule applicable and what action has been taken?

Before Belgium, this rule has been implemented in many countries. Countries like France, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, the Philippines, Canada, and Ireland are included in this episode. It is worth noting that under the same rule, in 2012, carmaker Volkswagen had banned sending emails from the time the shift ends in the evening till the duty starts the next morning. In 2017, this rule was implemented in France, under which those working under work from home were brought. The pest control company was fined 60 thousand euros during 2018 for violating these rules.

What is the future of this rule in India?

After the news of implementing this rule in Belgium came to light, its discussion in India has started very fast. Actually, due to the corona epidemic, at present, about 50 to 60 percent of people are doing work from home and they are facing problems like Siddharth at times. Due to this, the voice of bringing such a rule is being raised in India too, but do you know that right to disconnect has been discussed in India too?

If not, then let us tell you that during 2019, NCP MP Supriya Sule introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill in the Lok Sabha during the proceedings of the Parliament. Under this, there was a reference to the never-ending professional life. Also, there was talk of bringing those companies under the ambit which have more than 10 employees. If this became a law, then such companies would have to compulsorily constitute an employee welfare committee. At the same time, there is no accountability before the employee for not responding to calls, messages, or emails after his shift. When this bill was introduced in Parliament, at that time the impact on the lives of Indians due to work pressure was also cited. It is worth noting that after 2019 this bill was never discussed in India.

Why is there a hurdle in the way of this law in India?

Experts say that there are many obstacles to implementing this rule in India. Whenever we talk about work culture in India, questions also arise about the way employees work. It is seen in many places in India that employees are not punctual about time. Not reaching the office on time is a habit of about 90 percent of the people. If we compare it with other countries, then their employees are very serious about office timings. They prefer to reach their office five minutes early rather than five minutes late. Apart from this, they keep dealing with their tasks in shift timings. However, it is also a matter of fact that not all employees in India work like this, but when they raise their voice for their rights, the management shuns it by citing their other colleagues.