California just passed a law effective July 2027

Your software can track employee performance. But should it get a vote on who's fired?

California just passed a law with a name that's hard not to love: the No Robo Bosses Act (SB 947).

And while the name might make you picture a robot walking around the office handing out pink slips, the law addresses something much more common: the technology businesses are already using to manage employees.

Think attendance tracking, productivity scores, automated performance evaluations, and systems that recommend disciplinary action.

AI is making some incredible things possible for businesses. We're all for it! But as technology gets smarter, employment laws are changing right along with it.

Starting July 1, 2027, California employers will face new requirements when using certain automated systems to discipline or terminate employees.

So, what does that actually look like in the real world?

Meet Bob. According to the computer, he's terrible at his job.

Bob's company recently introduced software that measures employee productivity.

Unfortunately for Bob, his score is a disaster.

The system says he spends too much time away from his computer.

What it doesn't know? Bob is the guy everyone goes to when there's a problem. He's meeting with clients, mentoring employees, and keeping the office running.

Bob isn't unproductive. The software is just measuring the wrong things.

Here's where a good HR partner makes a difference.

Instead of questioning Bob's performance, we might help the company rethink how it measures success.

Better performance metrics, happier employees, and more useful technology.

That's a win.

Now meet Susan. The system says she's always late.

Your attendance software flags Susan for repeated tardiness.

But Susan has an approved modified schedule that wasn't entered correctly.

A quick review catches the mistake before her manager starts a disciplinary conversation.

No unnecessary confusion. No frustrated employee. No avoidable HR headache.

And the company still gets the benefits of its attendance technology.

And then there's Jennifer.

Jennifer's performance has dropped, and the company's software has noticed.

That's useful information!

But rather than jumping straight to disciplinary action, what if someone took the time to understand why?

Maybe she needs additional training. Maybe expectations aren't clear. Maybe there's a leave or accommodation issue.

Or maybe she really does need a performance improvement plan.

The point is, the data starts the conversation. It doesn't have to end it.

So, what exactly is changing?

California's No Robo Bosses Act places new requirements on employers using covered automated decision systems for discipline and termination.

Employers cannot rely solely on those systems to make these decisions. When they primarily rely on them, additional safeguards apply, including independent human corroboration and certain employee notices.

In other words, AI can help you spot a problem. But a human still needs to do the thinking.

This is where we come in.

At Your HR Partners Inc., we help businesses make sense of changing employment laws without making everything feel so complicated.

And we genuinely enjoy helping our clients find better ways to manage their businesses.

With new laws like SB 947, we can help you review the technology you're using, evaluate your performance management practices, update policies, guide managers through difficult employee situations, and make sure important decisions are thoughtfully documented.

We also help businesses figure out when a situation calls for coaching, an accommodation discussion, a performance improvement plan, or another appropriate step.

Because sometimes the most valuable thing we do is ask a question nobody else thought to ask.

And those questions can make a big difference.

You don't need an entire in-house HR department to have experienced HR professionals supporting your business.

That's the beauty of having an HR partner.

AI is here to stay. And that's exciting!

We believe businesses should embrace tools that help them become more efficient.

But the best technology works even better when it's paired with experienced people who understand the workplace.

Let AI help you work smarter. Let us help you manage smarter.

If your company is using AI, automated performance tools, or employee monitoring software, we'd love to help you take a look at how everything fits together.

Your HR Partners Inc.

Practical HR support for real-world business challenges.

📞 714-321-2279

info@yourhrpartnersinc.com

Now we're curious: Would you trust AI to evaluate your employees, or do you think some things are better left to humans?