The Assembly has overwhelmingly approved legislation requiring employers to notify employees when they monitor their e-mail and computer habits at work. The legislation may set up a potential confrontation with Gov. Gray Davis, who last year vetoed a similar measure. The Assembly's 50-18 vote yesterday sent the latest bill back to the state Senate for approval of minor amendments. The measure easily passed the upper house in May on a 25-12 vote.
Current law permits employers to monitor computer use without permission or advance notice.
Bowen has argued that the state already limits the rights of employers to intrude into the lives of their workers. Aides to Davis have warned Bowen that the new measure may not be palatable to the governor. Davis particularly dislikes a provision that would require businesses to obtain verification that workers have been notified. Bowen said she has no plans to remove that section from the bill. The California Chamber of Commerce, which has some influence with the governor on business issues, supports the revised bill.