Should Your Boss Be Allowed to Text or Call You After You Clock Out This Michigan Bill Could Change That

LANSING, MI - A new bill introduced in Lansing could change how employers across Michigan communicate with workers after business hours, raising questions about whether bosses should be allowed to text, email, or call employees once they have already clocked out for the day.

The proposal, introduced by Erika Geiss, would create what supporters call a legal “right to disconnect” for Michigan workers. Assembly Bill 27-51 would restrict employers from requiring employees to answer work-related communications after hours and would protect workers from retaliation if they choose not to respond.

The bill applies to emails, text messages, phone calls, and other work communications outside scheduled work hours. Supporters say the legislation is aimed at what they describe as an “always on” workplace culture where workers feel pressured to remain available nearly 24 hours a day, even while off the clock.

Under the proposal, employers could still contact workers during genuine emergency situations, but routine work communication outside work hours could become legally restricted. Workers who ignore after-hours messages would be protected from punishment, discipline, reduced hours, or other forms of retaliation connected to their decision not to respond.

Supporters of the legislation say smartphones and remote work technology have erased the traditional boundary between work life and personal life. They argue many employees feel trapped in a cycle where they are expected to monitor emails and answer messages late at night, during weekends, vacations, and family time because they fear it could affect promotions, schedules, raises, or even job security.

Backers of the bill also point to growing concerns over stress, burnout, anxiety, and mental health issues tied to constant workplace communication. They argue workers deserve protected personal time without worrying about whether ignoring a text from a supervisor could create problems at work the next day.

Critics of the bill, including some business groups and employers, argue the proposal could reduce workplace flexibility and create problems for businesses that rely on fast communication. Some employers have raised concerns about how the law would be enforced and whether it could create confusion during urgent situations that may not qualify as emergencies under the law.

Others worry the proposal could hurt competitiveness for Michigan businesses that operate across multiple time zones or industries where after-hours communication is common. Questions have also been raised about possible penalties for violations and how worker complaints would be investigated.

Michigan would not be the first government to move toward this type of worker protection. France passed a national “right to disconnect” law in 2016 requiring some companies to establish limits on after-hours communication. Portugal later approved similar restrictions, and lawmakers in places like New York have also considered related legislation.

The proposal is expected to spark debate in Lansing as lawmakers, employers, and workers continue arguing over where the line should be drawn between company demands and personal time in a modern digital workplace.