Establishes the schedules that work act to provide for a timely, good faith interactive process between employees and employers that includes a discussion of potential schedule changes to meet an employee's needs.
If enacted, the Schedules That Work Act would introduce significant reforms to New York's labor laws. It also stipulates that employees must be informed of their work schedules well in advance, with particular attention to changes that require less than twenty-four hours' notice. The bill expressly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who exercise their rights under this legislation, which is expected to provide employees with greater job security and predictability regarding their hours. The changes will particularly benefit low-wage workers in retail and service jobs who often face last-minute scheduling changes that can disrupt their lives.
Bill S07515, known as the 'Schedules That Work Act', seeks to enhance employee rights by establishing requirements for flexible, predictable, and stable work schedules for certain categories of employees, particularly in the retail, food service, and cleaning sectors. This legislation mandates a good faith interactive process between employers and employees when scheduling work hours, allowing employees to request changes that accommodate their personal circumstances, such as caregiving responsibilities or health issues. The emphasis on employee engagement in scheduling aims to improve work-life balance and job satisfaction.
Notably, the bill acknowledges 'bona fide business reasons' as potential grounds for employers to deny schedule change requests. This clause has sparked debate about the balance between employee rights and the operational needs of businesses, with concerns raised regarding how such reasons will be defined and enforced. Critics argue that the legislation, while well-intentioned, may impose burdensome constraints on employers, particularly small businesses that may struggle to adapt to stringent scheduling demands. Hence, while the legislation promotes employee advocacy, careful scrutiny will be necessary to protect the interests of various stakeholders.