Assemblymember Matt Haney's (D-San Francisco) Assembly Bill 2751, which seeks to establish a "right-to-disconnect" for California workers, has cleared a significant legislative hurdle by passing out of the Assembly Labor Committee. The bill now moves forward to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
AB 2751 proposes to provide California employees with uninterrupted personal and family time by granting them the right to disconnect from work-related emails, texts, and calls after regular work hours. The legislation mandates that all employers in the state develop and publish comprehensive company-wide action plans to implement the new right-to-disconnect laws. Additionally, employment contracts would be required to clearly delineate working and non-working hours. The bill also authorizes the California Labor Commissioner's office to investigate and penalize employers found to be in violation of right-to-disconnect regulations.
The rise of modern technology over the past 15 years has transformed the nature of work, making employees increasingly accessible to their employers around the clock. First introduced in France in 2017, right-to-disconnect laws have since been adopted in thirteen countries worldwide, including Australia, Argentina, Italy, and Spain. Research indicates that workers who have the right to disconnect experience improved health, greater happiness, and enhanced productivity.
Assemblymember Haney emphasized the importance of addressing the evolving dynamics of work in the digital age. "Work-life boundaries have become blurred, particularly with the advent of smartphones," stated Haney. "Workers should not be expected to be available 24/7 without appropriate compensation. People deserve quality time with their families without constant work interruptions."
