Can an Algorithm Fire You? California’s Groundbreaking New Law Says Not Anymore
The law requires human review and disclosure when AI helps drive discipline or firing decisions, and violators can face civil penalties.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the "No Robo Bosses Act" last week, restricting employer use of Automated-Decision Systems in disciplinary decisions and firings, effective July 1, 2027.
- Employers cannot exclusively rely on Automated-Decision Systems to determine a worker's employment or disciplinary status; if an ADS tool is a "primary" element in termination decisions, the law mandates human review.
- The California Labor Commissioner can impose civil penalties on companies violating the law, while gig workers are specifically excluded from its requirements.
- Human reviewers must provide corroborating information such as evaluations, disciplinary records, and witness testimony; employers cannot proceed with ADS decisions lacking human verification.
- This legislation marks the first law of its kind nationally; Newsom vetoed a previous version in 2025 over concerns about notification terms, as California continues developing broader AI regulatory frameworks.
10 Articles
10 Articles
California's new AI law: Ban on bots used to fire employees
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs nation-leading law regulating employers' AI use. Employers in the Golden State can't offload the hard parts of running a business to AI, according to a new state law. Signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom last week, SB 947 sets restrictions on the use of the novel technology in disciplinary decision making, …
Five Things California Employers Need to Know About the "No Robo Bosses Act" (SB 947)
In last week’s final scorecard on the Governor’s signing decisions, I listed SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act of 2026,” among the technology bills that became law. It needs a fuller treatment. Governor Newsom signed it on September 30. The law adds Part 5.5.5 to the Labor Code (§§ 1520–1526.7) and makes California the first state to require human oversight when employers use automated tools to discipline or fire employees. This is the Legislature…
New California AI Employment Laws: Key Requirements for Employers
On September 30, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed three laws that will regulate the use of AI in the employment context, starting in the new year. Below, we briefly summarize these developments, which we discuss in greater detail in our prior blog post. These laws join an existing body of California AI employment regulations. SB […]
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