California Governor Gavin Newsom signs 'No Robo Bosses Act' — so an AI can no longer fire you on its own
New California bill requires humans to verify and provide proof for automated decisions to discipline or fire workers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the No Robo Bosses Act, a new law aimed at protecting workers from automated decision-making in the workplace. The bill, formally known as SB 947, will come into effect in July 2027 and requires employers to utilize a "human-in-the-loop" approach when making decisions that impact their employees. This means that automated systems cannot solely be responsible for disciplining or firing workers; a human must also provide corroborating evidence.
Newsom emphasized the importance of this new legislation, stating that California is taking action in the absence of federal leadership on AI. The signing of this bill is seen as a first-in-the-nation initiative to implement human oversight over AI technology in the workplace, limit surveillance, and prioritize workers' interests.
California Federation of Labor Unions President Lorena Gonzalez praised the governor's decision, highlighting the significance of these first-in-the-nation bills in establishing guardrails for AI in employment.
While the bill was signed on September 30, 2026, it will not be enforced until July 1, 2027, giving employers time to adapt to the new requirements.
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