Legal Recognition And Protection Of Mental Health Rights Of Employees In India: A Labour Law Perspective
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 5
- 1 min read
Yana Yadav, UPES
1. Introduction
Mental health is a critical component of employee well-being, particularly in the workplace, where stress, anxiety, and burnout are frequent. However, mental health is frequently disregarded in Indian labor laws. Organizations like the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization emphasize the importance of mental health for employee productivity, retention, and human dignity. India has legislation in place, such as the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, however their application and enforcement in the workplace are constrained1. The goal of this research is to look into the extent to which Indian labor laws recognize and protect employees' mental health rights, as well as constitutional provisions, key legislation, judicial pronouncements, and policy initiatives, and to highlight practical challenges that employees face when asserting their rights.
2. Conceptual Framework
Mental health is a crucial aspect of an individual's well-being since it enables them to cope with life's stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community. Anxiety, melancholy, burnout, and PTSD can all have a severe influence on productivity and overall well-being at the workplace. Poor mental health can lead to absenteeism, low productivity, high turnover, and greater healthcare costs. Employees may be unwilling to seek therapy because of the stigma surrounding mental diseases2. As the nature of work evolves, particularly in India's service and knowledge-based industries, there is a greater requirement for workplace mental health protection. Labor rights, notably the right to safe
working conditions and dignity, are integrally linked with mental health.
However, Indian labor laws have always stressed physical safety, sometimes overlooking mental health.
