85% of Indian Employees Get Work Calls on Sick Leave or Holidays: Survey

What the survey found: Around 85% of Indian employees reported receiving work-related calls, messages, or emails during sick leaves or holidays, indicating blurred boundaries between work and personal time.

Why it matters: Constant connectivity is linked to burnout, stress, and reduced productivity, raising concerns about employee well-being and fair labor practices.

Policy context: During the Winter Session of Parliament 2025, a private member’s bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha seeking to implement a “right to disconnect”, which would protect employees from after-hours work communication except in emergencies.

Key implications

Work-life balance: Persistent contact during time off undermines rest and recovery, especially during illness.

Mental health: Continuous availability can increase anxiety and long-term burnout.

Organisational culture: The findings point to a need for clearer norms on after-hours communication.

What the “right to disconnect” could change

Clear boundaries: Limits on non-urgent calls/emails outside working hours.

Employee protection: Safeguards against penalties for not responding off-duty.

Healthier workplaces: Encourages productivity during work hours and genuine downtime off work.

What employers and employees can do now

Employers: Set after-hours communication policies, define emergencies, and model compliance from leadership.

Employees: Use status indicators, set expectations with teams, and document off-hours contact patterns if needed.