New Legislation Expands Protections for Warehouse Workers

SACRAMENTO — Moving to address injuries among workers in the warehousing industry, Gov.Gavin Newsom Sept. 23, signed AB 701 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), which establishes new, transparency measures for companies to disclose production quota descriptions to their workers and prohibits the use of algorithms that disrupt basic worker rights such as rest periods, bathroom breaks or compliance with health and safety laws. The legislation ensures workers cannot be fired or retaliated against for failing to meet an unsafe quota and allows them to pursue injunctive relief.

Gov. Newsom said we cannot allow corporations to put profit over people. Hardworking warehouse employees who have helped sustain us during these unprecedented times should not have to risk injury or face punishment as a result of exploitative quotas that violate basic health and safety.

AB 701 also enables the Labor Commissioner to issue citations and access worker’s compensation data to identify facilities where there are high rates of injury likely due to the use of unsafe quotas.