BILL NUMBER:S7940

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the labor law, in relation to
providing more predictable and stable schedules for employees in
low-wage occupations

PURPOSE:

To provide employees in low-wage occupations with predictable and
stable schedules that support workplace flexibility.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section I of the bill amends Section 652 of the Labor Law by adding a
new subdivision (7) which provides that an employer shall pay an
employee for at least 4 hours at the basic minimum hourly wage for
each day an employee reports for work as instructed but is given less
than four hours of work. New subsection (7) also provides that an
employer shall pay an employee for at least 4 hours at the basic
minimum hourly wage for each day an employee is instructed to contact
their employer, or wait to be contacted by their employer, less than
24 hours in advance of the start of a potential work shift to
determine whether the employee must report to work for such shift.

Section II provides a modification of part 142-2.3 of title 12 of the
New York State codes, rules and regulation pursuant to subdivision (7)
              

of such section that shall become effective sixty days after enactment
into law.

Section III provides protections in the event any provision of this
application thereof to any person, employer, occupation or
circumstance is held invalid.

Section IV sets forth the effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:

With the recent reports of low-income employees struggling to maintain
a living wage as they balance their work and personal lives, now more
than ever is the time to implement policies that support workplace
stability and flexibility. Low-income employees, specifically those in
the retail industry, have continually faced challenges in the
workplace that end up taking a toll on their personal lives.

A report released by the Retail Action Project explores the impact
unpredictable work schedules have on workers' lives. Some workers have
described their frustrations of reporting to work as instructed and
then being sent home early, and not receiving any pay for the time
they initially made available. Others describe situations in which
their jobs are compromised because of unpredictable scheduling
practices by employers that interfere with school schedules, child
care availability, or even a second job.

Regardless of the situation, employees deserve protections that will
allow them to maintain balance. This legislation would provide the
necessary changes low-income employees need to build sustainable
careers.


LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the one hundred and twentieth day after
it shall have become law.