Should you pick up the phone?

Imagine this: You’ve just wrapped up a long day’s work as a designer, eager to meet your “mazapan half” for a well-deserved date. You shut down your computer, hop into your car, and just as you’re about to hit play on your favorite reggaeton track to set the mood, your phone rings.

It’s your boss—calling to demand an urgent report for a client or, worse, to drag you back to your home office for an emergency presentation design. Suddenly, your date night looks like it’s going to be spent with your laptop instead of your significant other. But what if this intrusion into your personal time wasn’t just frowned upon but actually illegal?

In an era where remote work blurs the lines between personal and professional life, California is stepping up with a groundbreaking bill that could make after-hours work calls a thing of the past. 

Drawing inspiration from similar laws in France, Ireland, and Australia, the proposed legislation aims to protect employees’ “right to disconnect.”

Under this new bill, your evenings, weekends, and any time off the clock could become your sanctuary—free from the digital tether of work obligations. Employers would be required to establish clear policies defining work and non-work hours. This gives you the peace you deserve after hours. The proposed penalties? A $100 fine for bosses who can’t resist the urge to dial their team during downtime.

While the idea of disconnecting might sound like music to your ears, it also raises questions about job security and the potential for misunderstandings in urgent scenarios. Could this shift towards protected personal time change the workplace culture for the better? Might it lead to tensions between employers and employees who fear the implications of being truly off the clock?

We’re curious to hear your thoughts. Do you think this law will enhance your work-life balance, or could it put job security at risk?

Share your views in the comments, and let’s discuss whether it’s time for work communications to respect the clock-out time.