April 8th 2024.
Proposed Text:
A new law in California is aiming to give employees a much-needed break from their bosses outside of working hours. Assembly Bill 2751, proposed by Assemblymember Matt Haney, would allow workers to ignore calls and texts from their employers once they have left the office. If passed, California would be the first state to adopt a "right to disconnect" law that applies to both public and private employers.
The bill was officially filed in February 2024 and has already gained significant attention. Its main objective is to ensure that employees have clearly defined working hours and are able to enjoy uninterrupted personal and family time outside of those hours. This is especially important given the drastic changes in workplace culture brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the implementation of remote or hybrid work schedules for many employees. While these flexible arrangements may have their benefits, they have also made it increasingly difficult for workers to have a clear end to their workday. As Assemblymember Haney puts it, "People now find themselves always on and never off."
The problem, according to Haney, is the "gray area" where employees are expected to be available at all times, even though their official working hours may only be from 9 to 5. The new law would provide some exceptions for emergencies or scheduling changes, but its main goal is to establish clear boundaries and prevent burnout. "Employers simply need to have a policy in place outlining when employees are expected to work and when they are not," Haney explains. "It shouldn't be that hard, and the current issue is the ambiguity and uncertainty that can lead employees to feel like they need to be available 24/7."
The proposed law has received widespread support from California residents, including Tony Richelle, who works in the real estate industry. Richelle believes that employees should have the right to choose whether or not to answer calls after hours. "Sometimes I won't even answer the phone, and that's an option. That's a choice that I have, and that's a choice other people have. There might be consequences for that choice, but it should still be a choice," he says.
However, there are also concerns for small businesses, whose employees may face consequences if they do not answer calls outside of working hours. Richelle acknowledges that this could potentially impact small businesses, saying, "Small businesses could suffer if an employee is not available to answer the phone or if the owner is afraid to call someone because they might get in trouble."
Similar legislation has already been passed in 13 countries, including Belgium and Mexico, and now California is considering joining their ranks. While the bill has not yet been signed into law, it is currently being reviewed by the Assembly's Committee on Labor and Employment and may face some amendments. It will then go to a fiscal committee before being presented for a final vote on the State Assembly floor. If it receives a majority vote, it will then move on to the State Senate.
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