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A potential bill could grant you the right to ignore your boss’ calls outside of working hours

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California may become the first state in the country to give workers the right to ignore after-hours calls, emails, and texts from their employers if a proposed bill is passed. Assemblyman Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) introduced Assembly Bill 2751, which would create a “right-to-disconnect” law, ensuring workers have uninterrupted personal and family time after work hours. The bill also requires employers to develop plans to implement the new law into their policies and empowers the California Labor Commissioner’s Office to investigate and penalize employers who consistently violate it.

However, the bill has faced opposition from business advocacy groups who are concerned about the potential challenges it may present. Haney stated that the legislation aims to establish a clear boundary between work and home life, which has become increasingly blurred in recent years due to smartphones and the rise of remote work, particularly accelerated by the pandemic.

A survey conducted by the Organization for Better Economic Co-operation and Development revealed that the United States ranks 29th out of 41 advanced countries in terms of work-life balance. Additionally, studies have shown that individuals who lack a healthy work-life balance are more likely to experience burnout, anxiety, stress, and other mental health conditions, especially women and working parents.

One survey by Mind Share Partners found that 84% of respondents attributed at least one mental health condition to their workplace. Despite some improvements, mental health issues in the workforce persist, highlighting the need for measures like Assembly Bill 2751.

Haney believes that the bill would solidify California as a progressive state, aligning with other countries like France that have similar laws. Australia recently approved legislation granting workers the right to disconnect, indicating a global trend towards prioritizing employees’ well-being.

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Tyler Jochman, an attorney specializing in compensation under right-to-disconnect laws, emphasized the importance of such legislation for workers’ health, especially in remote work settings. However, challenges may arise for companies with operations across different time zones and in determining the impact on pay and nonexempt employees.

The California Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns about the bill, citing its vagueness and potential implications for exempt employees. Ashley Hoffman, a senior policy advocate for the chamber, highlighted that the legislation could restrict overtime opportunities and undermine the flexibility of exempt employees.

Haney acknowledges these concerns and maintains that the bill is flexible enough to accommodate various sectors, including those requiring on-call work or extended hours. The legislation includes exceptions for emergencies, scheduling discussions, and collective bargaining agreements through labor unions.

Overall, Assembly Bill 2751 represents a significant step towards prioritizing work-life balance and protecting employees’ well-being, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow suit.

Intellectuals Insider

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.