California Proposes Right to Disconnect Law to Limit After-Hours Work Communications

California bill would give employees the right to not respond to work messages during non-working hours, except for emergencies or scheduling
Aims to reduce worker burnout from pressure to be always available outside working hours
Would require employers to establish disconnect policy in agreement with workers
Employers could face $100 penalty for violating rule
California would be first U.S. state with such a "right to disconnect" law, though over a dozen countries have enacted similar laws