In an effort to help citizens across the state get some respite from the pressures of work, California State Assembly Member Matt Haney has introduced AB 2751, a proposal intended to give workers the “right to to disconnect” from work-related communications outside of working hours. .
AB 2751 is inspired by similar legislation in countries such as France, Spain and Ireland. If passed, it would set a precedent not only for the US, but for other countries worldwide. In recent months, all eyes have been on California’s tech sector amid concerns that Silicon Valley’s work-life balance has deteriorated.
The bill aims to address concerns about burnout, stress and the blurring of boundaries between work and private life in today’s digital work landscape.
“Right to disconnect”
The news, first reported by The San Francisco Standard, quotes an interview between Haney and the publication: “If you have a 9-to-5 job, you shouldn’t be expected to work 24/7. That should be available to everyone, regardless of the existence of smartphones.”
In the interview, Haney highlights the irony that the state that created the communication and collaboration tools that led to concerns about after-hours work is also the state trying to address worker burnout.
If passed, the law would place enforcement under the jurisdiction of the Department of Labor, with fines starting at $100 per incident. The bill covers exemptions, such as emergencies.
While many see this as a positive change for technology workers, critics say the restrictions could hinder innovation and competitiveness.
Then there is also the fact that many employees, thanks to flexible work routines and foreign recruitment, work different hours. If the bill passes, and even before that, if there is enough interest, it is not unlikely that we will see online platforms introduce clearer ways for employees to limit their reporting outside of working hours.
The news comes after an extremely turbulent few years. During the pandemic, workers were first sent home, after which mass layoffs began. This was followed by a period of increasing pressure to return to power, and the dismissals continued.