Burn, quiet layoffs, vacations — the news (and likely your schedule) is full of signs that employees are overworked and expecting too much from them. There is little regulation in the United States to prevent employers from forcing workers to be at their desks or on call at all hours, but that could soon change. California State Assemblyman Matt Haney introduced AB 2751, a “right to opt out” proposal. San Francisco Standard reports.
The bill is in its early stages, but if passed, every California employer would clearly define a person’s work hours and ensure that they are not required to respond to overtime communications. The periods during which a salaried employee may have to work longer hours should be specified in their contract. There will be exceptions for emergencies.
The Department of Labor will monitor compliance and fine companies a minimum of $100 for violations — forcing employees to monitor employees on Zoom, their inbox, responding to texts or Slack when they’re not getting paid. “I think California is the state that’s creating a lot of these technologies, but also how we’re making it sustainable and renewing our defenses for the times we live in and the world we’re creating,” he said. Standard.
It’s unclear how much support there is for AB 2751, but as a tech hub and major economic hub, the bill has the potential to create a big impact for workers in California and pressure other states to follow suit. The bill follows similar legislation in other countries. In 2017, France became the first country implement a “right to opt out” policyA model copied in Argentina, Ireland, Mexico and Spain.
