San Francisco passes first-in-nation limits on worker schedules
A new law in San Francisco affects chain store employees by discouraging their employers from editing work schedules less than two weeks in advance. This change accompanies a "Retail Workers Bill of Rights" that passed despite some opposition. Across America, states and cities have considered adopting more active roles in determining workers' rights. Union leaders, working increasingly through the political arena, are optimistic about improvements in work standards, although these measures will likely not lead to greater numbers of union members. Should more cities take initiative similar to that of San Francisco? What might this new role for unions mean in the future?
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If we continue these regulations, were going to fall further and further behind other nations economically. Its one thing to try to keep workers safe. Its a whole other thing to tell employers when they can have their employees come in to work.
ReplyDeleteI think that workers rights are very important. These workers need their hours to be announced ahead of time because they need to arrange for transportation and childcare. I also support the raise in minimum wage that the article mentions as well as the time off and equal opportunity for promotions for part-time workers. Measures such as these will allow this country to take great strides towards more income equality.
ReplyDeleteWorkers rights for years have needed improvement. Now, California is finally leading the way. Workers need to know there schedules ahead of time, especially if they are working multiple jobs. This law will also protect against chain stores from changing their workers hours last minute, and the rise in minimum wage should be enforced by all the states. Hopefully this law will help lead to greater strides in work standards.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a reasonable and fair piece of legislation. It makes sense that workers would want to know about shifts in their schedules ahead of time. I do not see many negatives associated with this law, so this law is a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI would be absolutely thrilled if this was implemented in our area. I work for a chain restaurant and my hours are ridiculous as well as my schedule. I find out my schedule every Friday for the upcoming week and no further. If I request off, I usually get that time off but there is no stopping my manager from scheduling me on that day anyways. I have no regular schedule and have been scheduled on days when I have told them I will not be available. Should I need coverage, I have to find it myself and my managers cannot even supply a list of phone numbers to me. If I knew my schedule 2 weeks in advance this would help me so much. My coworkers also have similar problems. Maybe if the government got involved in encouraging this reform then my employer would change the way we do scheduling. I do not, however, think it should be made a law.
ReplyDeleteI fully support this move for workers rights around the nation. It is completely unfair to expect workers to adhere to crazy, last minute scheduling by employers. Having a two week limit on scheduling allows employees to organize things such as college classes or coordination of day care/ schooling for their children. I see no issue with this ruling.
ReplyDeleteThis piece of legislature is fair and efficient. It protects workers rights and I think in the long run will add to organization and therefore efficiency. This law is definetley a step in the right direction and I hope more states adopt it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Olivia. I think this law is completely just. By allowing people a two week notice on scheduling, they will be better able to handle their personal life. This will lead to less conflict between employers and employees. But, looking at it from the point of view of the employer, sometimes things come up. I think maybe the employers should be able to change the schedule in the case of an emergency by offering an incentive to the employees that pick up the shift. This could be a bonus, double time, or something like that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that everyone else as hared the same opinions on this piece of legislation. It is nice to see that jobs are becoming more organized by this law and that it provides a more stable work force which is always good for the workforce and the economy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Olivia and Haley. I think that this law is completely just. If I were an employee, I would like to know my schedule ahead of time so that I could make arrangements accordingly. I don't think that is is fair for employers to tell employees that they are needed at work last minute. It isn't fair to the employees because many times, they are taking care of children at home and have to make arrangements prior.
ReplyDeleteWith many people supporting families off of multiple part-time jobs, this reform is a good idea. Knowing their shifts two weeks advance will allow people to figure out how to juggle their jobs and children better. Until the economy can allow people to start moving away from a life of keeping multiple low-paying jobs, this reform will protect workers well.
ReplyDeleteI think this reform and will encourage respect between employers and employees. After all, managers expect you to notify them well in advance if you have to miss work. They don't like it if you change shifts at the ast minute. Therefore, employees should be given the same courtesy by their employers. Of course, there may be situations, on both sides, when scheduling changes are unavoidable, and managers and employers are forced to make a change in the schedule after the two week deadline has passed, so that should be taken into consideration as well.
ReplyDeleteThe aspect of this legislation related to advance notification of worker schedules seems reasonable, and will likely boost worker morale in the long run, since they will be more pleased with an employer who can accommodate their schedule to an extent. However, other regulations pertaining to employer-employee relations often result negatively for the employer, stifling profit and making it more difficult to hire more workers or promote these part-time workers to full-time. While this particular piece of legislation appears to be fair, it presents a slippery slope that will lead to the enactment of burdensome regulations on business, especially in a liberal jurisdiction like San Francisco. It is crucial that they draw the appropriate line between protecting workers and reigning in the demanding, detrimental power of unions.
ReplyDeleteI support the initiative that California has taken to give their workers more rights. Employees that work minimum wage jobs, especially for national chains, are generally the employees that are abused the most. Not physically or mentally, but with their time because corporations know that these low income people depend on their jobs and will do anything to maintain them. This bill will give rights to those who truly need it and cities and states would be wise to follow suit.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I believe the point behind this law, limiting the ability of employers to change schedules at the last minute, I can think of a number of valid reasons why the schedules would have to be changed. Some jobs cannot be scheduled until the last minute. I believe that should be taken into consideration.
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