A new bill in California could dramatically alter the after-hours work landscape by granting employees the legal right to ignore calls and messages from their bosses once the workday is over. Democrat Assemblyman Matt Haney of San Francisco introduced Assembly Bill 2751, aiming to establish a “right to disconnect” policy, which would require employers to respect their workers’ nonworking hours.

The bill, currently under consideration in the state legislature, proposes that employers must establish a workplace policy allowing employees to disconnect from communications outside of their designated work hours, except in cases of emergency or scheduling needs. Nonworking hours would be determined by a written agreement between employees and employers.If passed, California would be the first state in the U.S. to implement such a law, following in the footsteps of more than a dozen countries that have already enacted similar legislation. France notably led the way in 2017, with Kenya being the latest country to adopt a right-to-disconnect law.

The proposed bill seeks to address the growing issue of work encroaching on personal time, particularly exacerbated by the rise of remote work during the pandemic. Studies cited by Haney’s office suggest that such laws contribute to healthier, happier, and more productive work environments.

Moreover, proponents argue that granting workers the right to disconnect could enhance California’s competitiveness in attracting skilled workers. In a statement, Haney emphasized the importance of retaining talent in the face of competition from other states like Texas and New York.While the bill is still in its early stages, its potential implications for the future of work and work-life balance are significant. As discussions continue, both employers and employees await the outcome, which could reshape workplace norms in California and potentially influence similar legislation across the nation.