Webinar organized by School of Law, IMS Unison University with Department of Law, HNB Garhwal University

A webinar was jointly organized by School of Law, IMS Unison University, Dehradun and Department of Law, H.N.B. Garhwal University (A Central University) on the theme “Right to Disconnect: A Prospective Human Right”. This theme was chosen after much deliberation on the changing dynamics of working culture in the present pandemic times. The event was envisaged under the acumen of esteemed patrons Prof. Gautam Sinha, Honorable Vice Chancellor, IMS Unison University, Dehradun and Prof. A. A Bourai, Campus Director, SRT Campus, H.N.B. Garhwal University. The event was organized and executed under the able convenorship of Prof. R.N. Sharma, Dean, School of Law, IMS Unison University and Prof. A. K. Pandey, Dean & Head, School of Law, SRT Campus, HNB Garhwal University. We were very fortunate to have with us, Advocate Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor General of India, as our keynote speaker, who graced the occasion with her insightful views on this nascent topic. She emphasized that Right to Disconnect should very well be seen and explained within the contours of The Indian Constitution, highlighting the very objective of the preamble that secures liberty for its people and The Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in our Constitution that spell out just and humane conditions of work including leisurely life. The beginning of year 2020 we faced pandemic Covid-19 which forced us to change our working environment. It has been possible because of Online working from home which has been responsible for diluting the difference between official life and home life. This work from home culture has been cause of concern for individual’s social life and mental health. To protect the individual’s social life and mental health the 'Right to Disconnect' can be a viable solution as it will help in protecting the individual’s human and legal right. Workers mental health is also important at par with mental health. Thus, while enabling companies to accomplish their mission they should also feel duty of care towards physical and mental health of their staff. Hence, it becomes necessary that the employees should be given Right to Disconnect from the employer’s work after completion of working hours. Therefore, it is pertinent to discuss the humanitarian and legal issues involved in this set-up to enable us to find possible solutions to alleviate these human issues.  

The Moderators of the webinar were Ms. Maryanka and Dr. Vishal Guleria. The Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. S. K. Chaturvedi.