California’s New Bill Could Change Workplace Surveillance Rules
A new bill in California is causing a big debate about how much companies can watch their employees at work. The bill, called the Workplace Technology Accountability Act (AB 1651), would make it much harder for businesses to keep track of employees using cameras, computer tracking, and other digital tools.
What Does the Bill Propose?
The Workplace Technology Accountability Act was introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra. The goal is to give workers more control over how they are watched on the job. If the bill becomes law, it would:
- Require employers to tell workers before using any monitoring technology
- Ban certain types of surveillance that are too invasive
- Let employees see the data that companies collect about them
- Stop employers from using surveillance data to hire, fire, or discipline workers—unless that data is crucial and directly related to how the person does their job
Why Are HR Leaders Worried?
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a major HR group, says the bill goes too far. They believe it would make it much more difficult for businesses to keep their workplaces safe and productive. SHRM shared their concerns in a recent statement:
“While we support transparency and employee privacy, AB 1651 would create significant compliance burdens for employers and limit their ability to protect workers, customers, and company assets.”
They explain that the bill could:
- Make it harder for companies to investigate harassment, theft, or other problems at work
- Limit how businesses keep workplaces safe
- Block companies from following certain legal rules that require monitoring
Supporters Say Workers Need More Protection
Labor unions and privacy groups argue that the law is needed to protect employees from being watched too closely. They believe that some companies use surveillance in ways that are unfair or even harmful to workers’ privacy and trust.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra, who wrote the bill, explained:
“We’re seeing a dramatic increase in the use of monitoring technology, often without workers’ knowledge or consent. This bill is about restoring balance and giving employees a say in how they’re monitored at work.”
Supporters say too much surveillance can make employees feel like they are always being watched, which can hurt morale and make people uncomfortable.
How Common Is Workplace Surveillance?
Using technology to monitor workers is more common than ever before. A recent study by ExpressVPN found that:
- 78% of employers use some kind of monitoring software
- 83% of employees said they felt uncomfortable with being watched at work
The Debate Over AB 1651
The bill’s supporters and critics are both fighting hard to shape the final law. Business groups want lawmakers to change the bill so it’s not as strict. They hope to make it easier for companies to keep using certain types of monitoring, especially for safety and legal reasons. On the other hand, privacy advocates and labor unions want the bill to stay strong, with tough rules to protect workers’ rights.
Right now, the bill is still moving through the California legislature. It is not clear yet if it will pass, or what changes might be made before it does.
What Could Happen Next?
If California passes the Workplace Technology Accountability Act, it could become a model for other states. Many other places are watching to see what California does, since the state often leads the way on new workplace and privacy laws.
For now, both sides are waiting to see what lawmakers decide. The outcome could have a big impact on:
- How much privacy workers have at their jobs
- Whether companies can keep using digital tools to track workers
- How businesses manage safety, theft, and legal issues in the workplace
Why This Matters to American Workers
This debate is important for workers all across America, not just California. As more jobs rely on computers and technology, the question of how much companies can watch their staff is becoming a big issue everywhere.
If you work in an office, a warehouse, or even from home, the rules about workplace surveillance could affect you. This bill could set new standards for what is allowed—and what is not—when it comes to digital monitoring at work.
The Road Ahead
The future of the Workplace Technology Accountability Act is still uncertain. Lawmakers will have to listen to both business leaders and worker advocates as they decide what rules should be put in place. No matter what happens, the debate shows how important privacy and technology have become in today’s workplaces.
As the bill moves forward, employees and employers alike will be watching closely to see how it might change the way Americans work and how they are treated on the job.