Employees whose work schedules are constantly changing, those who work shift work and those who are required to be on call can have a difficult time arranging child or elder care or otherwise juggling their work and personal responsibilities. Legislation sponsored by Assemblywomen Sheila Oliver and Pam Lampitt would make it easier for employees to achieve a work-life balance.
The “Schedules that Work Act” (A-1117/S-1397) allows employees to request work schedule changes without fear of retaliation and requires businesses (with 15 or more workers) to consider those requests seriously. The bill permits employees to request changes in their hours, times they are required to be on call, their work site and the amount of notice the employee receives for schedules and assignments.
Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan testified in support of the measure at Monday’s Assembly Women and Children’s Committee hearing, where it advanced in a party line 4-2 vote. Democrats Jamel Holley (LD-20), Gabriela Mosquera (LD-4) and Annette Chaparro (LD-33) joined Committee Chair Lampitt (LD-6) in voting yes. Republicans Nancy Munoz (LD-21) and Gail Phoebus (LD-24) voted no. This was the bill’s first public hearing.
The Senate version is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and was referred to the Senate Labor Committee.
We suggested that the bill be made even stronger by enhancing the employee notification requirements to be sure all employees know their workplace rights!