While 79% of employers in India support a right-to-disconnect policy, 88% of employees say they face contact after work hours, according to a survey by Indeed published in the Press Trust of India. Indeed’s report is based on a survey among over 1,000 employees and employers across sectors in the country.

The survey said that as India’s workforce grapples with an ‘always on’ culture, discussions around the right to disconnect policy are becoming increasingly important in order to address rising stress levels and employee burnout.

However, 88% of the employees said they are regularly contacted by their employers outside of work hours, with 85% reporting that such communications continue even during sick leave or public holidays.

A majority of the employees surveyed (79%) feel that not responding to work-related communication after hours may lead to repercussions such as missed promotions, damaged professional reputation, or project setbacks.

According to the report, baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) value constant availability, while Gen Z (born between the late 1990s and early 2000s) prioritises work-life balance and mental health.

At the same time, employers worry about productivity but are open to extra compensation for out-of-hours accessibility.

Among baby boomers, 88% are more likely to feel valued when contacted outside of work hours. In contrast, over 50% of Gen Z respondents share this view, the report found

“Personal boundaries are now essential, today’s workforce seeks balance, and organisations that provide this will gain strong loyalty and productivity. There’s a need to foster a culture where employees feel safe and valued,” Indeed India Talent Strategy Advisor Rohan Sylvester said in the Press Trust of India.

The survey also showed that 81% of employers are concerned about losing top talent if they fail to respect work-life boundaries.

Meanwhile, 69% of job seekers agree that they have a right to disconnect and trust that their managers would honour such a policy.

Over 81% of employers expressed willingness to offer extra compensation for employees who remain accessible after hours, underlining their readiness to acknowledge the value of employees’ time, Indeed found.