What If Off-Duty Employees Unplugged?

A new proposal being floated by Democrats in the New York City Council is designed to protect private-sector employees from being penalized for ignoring after-hours or weekend work communications, reports the Wall Street Journal . "It's important for workers to be able to draw a line between their work lives and personal lives," argues Councilman Rafael Espinal. His measure takes cues from France's "Right to Disconnect" statute, and would outlaw employers with more than 10 employees from forcing workers to access their work-related communications outside of normal work hours. Employers also would be barred from taking action against workers for not responding, although government workers would not be granted the same privileges. Advocates say such a law would help labor regulations adjust to the smartphone era. Meanwhile, business groups have complained that the measure is overly broad and would hobble employers, burdening them with new regulations. "I think they have to refine the industries this can be applied to," says Greater New York Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Helena Natt. Espinal notes the city's Department of Consumer Affairs would be tasked with probing and levying fines against employers who fail to comply with his bill.