California could become first state that would give workers the right to ignore after-hours calls from bosses

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION-TV)- A California lawmaker is looking to pass a bill that would give employees the right to ignore after-hours calls from their bosses.

California State Assemblyman Matt Haney of San Francisco introduced Assembly Bill 2751 on Monday which would let employees ignore calls and texts from their employers after work hours.

France already has a similar law on the books-- and Australia will implement one later this year.

"This isn't really meant to punish anybody," Haney said. "It's really just meant to have that clarity in the age of the 24/7 availability cell phone always by your side, when you're expected to be working and when you maybe can just disconnect.

The bill is still in the early stages, but if passed it would require employers in California to lay out exactly what a person's working hours are and ensure they aren't required to respond to work-related communications outside of those hours.

California will become the first state to have this law in place.

The exceptions include emergencies or scheduling purposes. Haney said that companies could be fined $100 and face discipline if they break agreement three times.

To see the full bill, click here.