The Workplace Technology Accountability Act is a robust and comprehensive policy that would create first-of-its-kind regulations around use of technology in the workplace.
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) responds to withdrawal of AB 1651 from consideration in the Assembly Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee.
“Our workplaces are changing dramatically and our laws around worker rights have fallen behind. With the increase of remote work and gig work, legislation is overdue to mitigate negative impacts on workers from data collection, electronic monitoring, and algorithmic management.
“As conversations continued with our sponsors, stakeholders, and Assembly Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee, it became evident that this complex issue requires more time for further engagement. While I am disappointed the bill will not move forward tomorrow, I remain committed on working to ensure we provide protections for workers whose work is regulated and measured by technology every day. I look forward to partnering with Chair Gabriel on this issue.”
AB 1651 would establish a regulatory framework for the ever-increasing use of data-driven technology in the workplace. Under the bill, workers would receive meaningful notice when an employer intends to use technology to collect their data, monitor their movements, or make key employment-related decisions. AB 1651 would also require collection of worker data to be reasonably restricted to information that meets a legitimate business need and is relevant to a worker’s job. Technologies that pose a higher risk of producing bias-based decisions will undergo an impact assessment with worker input. Workers will have the ability to seek recourse with the state Labor Commissioner for violations of their rights under the bill. AB 1651 previously passed the Assembly Labor & Employment Committee with a 5-2 vote.