While the retail industry has historically gotten a bad rap for low wages, lately attention has turned as well to the issue of unpredictable worker schedules. Last week, legislation was introduced that may make California the first state to require large retailers and restaurant chains to post work schedules at least two weeks in advance.
The "Fair Schedule and Pay Equity Act" would also mandate additional pay for last-minute schedules.
The bill's authors say part-time positions are no longer just filled by teenagers but adults who work multiple jobs to support themselves and their families. Adult employees often struggle with managing child care, balancing shifts between two jobs, finding transportation, and juggling work and classes.
"Without fair and predictable work schedules, more and more Californians, particularly part-time and low-wage workers, are struggling to plan for basic life necessities, like child care or a much-needed second job," said state assemblyman David Chiu, a San Francisco Democrat, who introduced the bill, in a statement.
The bill applies to food and retail employers with 500 or more employees. It came after unfavorable media stories on schedule challenges at Starbucks and Juicy Couture.
The city of San Francisco passed similar legislation in December. Once it becomes effective later this year, retail workers in the city will be given additional "predictability pay" if their schedule is changed within a two-week window. For changes made with less than 24 hours' notice, for instance, employees must receive two to four hours of additional wages, depending on the length of the shift. There are exceptions for overtime requests, sickness and disciplinary reasons.
A New York Times article last year detailed how women's and labor groups were pushing a national movement to demand more predictable schedules for hourly employees. More part-timers on payrolls since the last recession were said to be compounding the problem. Some articles have stated that labor-scheduling software encourages managers to send workers home before their shifts end.
In the Times article, David French, NRF's SVP of government relations, said many proposals being pushed by women's and labor groups "may sound reasonable." But he also asserted that the regulations could cause more harm than good. Mr. French added, "Where employers and employees now work together to solve scheduling problems, you'll have a very bureaucratic environment where rigid rules would be introduced."
- Assembly members Chiu and Weber Propose "Fair Scheduling Act" for California Workers - California State Assembly
- California lawmakers introduce 'fair scheduling' bill - Nation's Restaurant News
- Retail Workers Bill of Rights
- San Francisco just created some of the country's toughest protections for retail workers - The Washington Post
- City Passes Historic Retail Workers Bill Of Rights - ThinkProgress
- San Francisco Proposes Predictable Scheduling To Help Hourly Workers - NPR
- A Push to Give Steadier Shifts to Part-Timers - The New York Times (tiered sub.)
- Employees shouldn't be treated like products - The Washington Post
- How Unpredictable Hours Are Screwing Up People's Lives - ThinkProgress