Right to Disconnect for Employees Coming Soon?

If passed, California would become the first state to implement a ‘right to disconnect’ law. Under Bill AB-2751, which was introduced by Matt Haney in California, employees would have the right to disconnect outside of set work hours, unless they are agreed upon ahead of time. Companies covered in the bill would need to carefully designate employee ‘compensated’ hours. If an employee is contacted outside of those hours, the employee would not be expected to respond. As it’s currently drafted, employers who violate the law would be penalized, and the fines start at $100 per violation.

France became the first country (now 13+ have passed similar laws) to provide employees with the right to disconnect. For companies with 50 or more employees, the law requires that employers clearly set hours which workers are expected to work. If communication arrives outside of those hours, whether it’s an email, a phone call, or a chat on Slack- employees are not obligated to respond.

Continue to follow us through our newsletter and social media channels as we track the status of this bill. If passed, we would encourage our clients in California to open up a ticket in our Ask an Attorney client portal for assistance.