A new California bill has been introduced to stop employers from contacting their employees outside of their work hours.
AB 2751, a bill introduced by State Assemblymember Matt Haney, aims to give employees in California better work-life balance by allowing them to "right-to-disconnect" from calls, texts, and emails after work.
This legislation would require companies in California to clearly define "compensated" hours and establish a company-wide policy to comply with the "right-to-disconnect" laws.
The state’s labor commission would have the authority to investigate and penalize employers for intruding on their employees’ personal time.
"Work has changed significantly compared to just 10 years ago. Smartphones have blurred the lines between work and home life," said Haney. statement"Workers should not be penalized for not being available 24/7 if they are not being paid for 24 hours of work. People should be able to spend time with their families without constantly being interrupted during dinner or their kids' birthdays, feeling anxious about their phones and having to respond to work," Haney added.
The bill includes exceptions that allow employers to contact workers during collective bargaining, emergencies, and scheduling.
“This bill provides a lot of flexibility to ensure that it applies to all types of employment and businesses in California, including sectors that may require on-call work or longer hours," Haney noted. “Many of California’s larger employers are already complying with right-to-disconnect laws in other countries and opting to expand their companies rapidly in those places.
“We’ve designed it to address the recent changes in work due to new technology, while also supporting California businesses. As a result of this law, California businesses will be more competitive in attracting much-needed workers."
California Chamber of Commerce is against the bill.
“The bill would essentially impose a strict work schedule on all employees and prohibit communication between employers and employees unless it's an emergency," stated Ashley Hoffman, a Senior Policy Advocate at the California Chamber of Commerce, in a letter statement against the bill. “This all-encompassing rule is a step backward for workplace flexibility.”
“It disregards California’s long-standing laws regarding hours worked, exempt employees, and overlooks the unique nature of different industries and professions. It would prevent the Governor and State agencies from reaching out to their staff outside of regular work hours, which would put essential state functions in jeopardy.”
The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and is anticipated to be discussed in the coming weeks.
