Right to disconnect
India’s workforce grapples with an “always on” culture, discussions around this policy are becoming increasingly important to address rising stress levels and employee burnout.
According to global job site Indeed, over 79 per cent of respondents including employers opined that implementing the “right to disconnect” policy at work would be a positive step forward.
As India’s workforce grapples with an “always on” culture, discussions around this policy are becoming increasingly important to address rising stress levels and employee burnout, it added.
However, 88 per cent of the employees said they are regularly contacted by their employers outside of work hours, with 85 per cent reporting that such communications continue even during sick leave or public holidays.
A majority of the employees (79 per cent) feel that not responding to work-related communication after hours may lead to repercussions such as missed promotions, damaged professional reputation, or project setbacks, said the report, which is based on a survey among over 1,000 employees and employers across sectors in the country.
According to the report, baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) value constant availability, while Gen Z (born between late 1990s and early 2000s) prioritises work-life balance and mental health.
PERIL IF YES-BOSS MENTALITY AND INDIAN RESPECT SYSTEM
Anna Sebastian lost her life as she was forced to overwork. She had been working 14-hour shifts, seven days of the week, for four months since she joined
The demands of the boss beyond shift timings, and the willingness to meet those are ingrained in a society like India’s.
Aarti Kelshikar’s book ‘How India Works’ introduces the Power Distance Index (PDI), highlighting India’s high score of 77, indicating a strong preference for hierarchy and a high regard for rank and authority compared to a global average of 55.
In such societies, where there’s a high regard for hierarchy, it becomes difficult for employees to turn down regular requests to work beyond office hours.
The demands of the boss beyond shift timings, and the willingness to meet those are ingrained in a society like India’s.