Is Work Life Balance Just A Case of Limerence?

Only if there was a way - a legal way to ignore work calls after your designated workhours, the so-called work-life balance that GenZ keep spiralling over would perhaps solve the long battle for striking work-life balance.

Here we are again talking about the same old debate that has caught us in a limbo of work-life balance in India. The big corporate bosses and popular podcasters on YouTube have already given their verdict on it. Some demand more than 40 hours a week (many have already called inhumane) others have taken a strong stance on it only to back track on it because in practice in their own organisations the productivity dropped by the dozens.

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But whether or not you believe everyone equally deserve to have some me-time outside of work, breathe a little after shutting their laptops down and really not being bothered by the lurking fear of your phone ringing- it's your boss demanding you get back to work a little because something needs your urgent attention, things have escalated since you went away for wee. A new private bill currently being discussed and is likely to be introduced in the state of Kerala.

It is here to protect your right to ignore your boss' call after your contracting working hours. No, it is not a hoax. Although, it really feels like dream that may never come true in reality. But it is.

If you're someone who can't get a break from your “half-girlfriend” constantly pinging you, reminding you that your work is never truly done, perhaps it’s time to pack your bags and move to Kerala. It could be the break you’ve been waiting for and a chance to finally disconnect, without the guilt, and without that phone ringing in the background.

The Kerala Right to Disconnect Bill is real, and it could soon become a game-changer for professionals dealing with the persistent intrusion of work into their personal time.

So, what does this bill actually propose? Well, if passed, it gives employees in the private sector a legal right to disconnect from any work-related communications—be it phone calls, emails, online meetings, or even text messages—once their work hours are over. It’s as simple as that. The bill clearly states that if your work contract says you’re done for the day, you’re done. No more checking your inbox at midnight or jumping onto Zoom calls on your weekend off.

Protection from Penalties

Employees won’t face disciplinary action for disconnecting after hours. That means no more worrying about getting that dreaded “urgent” call from the boss at 9 p.m. or scrambling to meet last-minute demands when you’ve already clocked out. The bill offers strong protection, ensuring that employees can't be penalised, demoted, or dismissed for not responding to after-hours work requests.

Sounds like something out of a utopia, doesn’t it? But it might become a reality in Kerala. Frankly, after working through late nights and weekends, there’s a part of you that might feel this is a little too good to be true. Still, the possibility of a balanced life feels tantalising to say the least.

But that’s not all. The bill also suggests the creation of a Private Sector Employment Grievance Redressal Committee in every district, which would act as a formal body to handle complaints related to work overload or excessive after-hours work demands.

It would have the power to investigate claims of unfair practices and intervene in situations where companies push employees beyond their legal work hours. If a company isn’t playing by the rules, this committee can take action, and yes, that includes making sure workers get the additional compensation they deserve for overtime.

And here's where it gets even more interesting: the bill also calls for counseling services to be offered to employees who feel overwhelmed or stressed due to work-related pressures. Mental health and wellness are finally taking the center stage, and this bill is a step in the right direction for addressing the emotional and psychological toll that an overly demanding work culture can have on employees.

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The Kerala Right to Disconnect Bill is, at its core, a call for balance—a recognition that employees should have the right to not only work but also to truly switch off. It’s a step toward redefining work culture, offering workers the opportunity to reclaim their time, their space, and their well-being. If the bill succeeds in becoming law, it could set a precedent for the rest of the country and even the world.

A Long Road Ahead?

As much as the bill sounds like a step forward, not everyone is convinced it’ll be easy sailing. Legal experts have noted that getting this bill passed and implemented could face some hurdles. The path from a proposed bill to actual legislation can be long, with many bureaucratic and political challenges to overcome. However, for many workers, even the introduction of such a bill brings hope for meaningful change in the way businesses approach work hours.

In fact, former Director General of Prosecution T. Asaf Ali pointed out that while the bill could highlight important issues, the real change might not come through legislation alone. He suggested that additional compensation for after-hours work could also be a potential solution, allowing workers to feel adequately valued for their time and effort beyond the standard workday.

The Flip Side

Before you book your one-way ticket to Kerala and dream of ignoring your boss like it’s a toxic ex, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of this bill because, as with everything that sounds too good to be true, there are a few wrinkles.

Consider this: some roles don’t switch off that easily. If you’re in tech support, client servicing, operations, or any crisis-management kind of job, emergencies don’t exactly punch out at 6 p.m. So while the bill might technically empower you to disconnect, the culture and client expectations may still keep you tethered. The fear of being replaced by someone more “available” is real, and no law can completely override that unspoken pressure.

And what about startups and small businesses? Many of them operate in a hustle-heavy culture where late nights and weekend work are not exceptions but expectations. If employees start exercising their right to disconnect, will these companies face slower growth? Or will they just find ways around the law by redefining working hours altogether?

So yes, the bill is hopeful, progressive, and necessary, especially in a post-pandemic world where burnout has become a lifestyle. But without clear rules for implementation, without cultural shifts in how we view productivity and availability, and without strong enforcement mechanisms, it risks becoming just another well-meaning PDF sitting in a government folder.

Until then, keep your ringer on, I suppose your boss might still be calling.