NWLC Applauds Introduction of the Schedules That Work Act and Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act
(Washington, D.C.) — Today, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Jan Schakowsky reintroduced the Schedules That Work Act and the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act — critical legislation that will help working people meet their obligations on the job and in the rest of their lives.
In anticipation of the reintroduction of these measures, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) published a new report highlighting the extent and particular impact of unstable schedules on women, workers, and their families: Collateral Damage: Scheduling Challenges for Workers in Low-Wage Jobs and their Consequences. NWLC also published updated findings on the composition of the part-time workforce and the particular challenges they face on the job.
In recognition of the importance of these laws for workers around the country, more than 100 organizations have come together in coalition to support the Schedules that Work Act and Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act.
The Schedules That Work Act and Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights will help restore a fair work week for millions of workers and ensure that more workers receive the pay, hours, and benefits they need to support themselves and their families. These laws will help strengthen and support families, employers, and the economy.
The two bills were reintroduced just weeks after Starbucks agreed to pay the largest worker protection settlement in New York City’s history for denying workers predictable schedules and other protections in violation of the city’s fair workweek law – but many cities and states lack the same strong protections for workers that let them plan their lives by having access to predictable schedules in advance.
The following is a statement by Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president for education & workplace justice at NWLC:
“Unstable work schedules make it virtually impossible to manage responsibilities like arranging child care or keeping a second job to make ends meet, or navigating your own or your loved one’s medical needs. Women who are breadwinners and caregivers for their families – who are disproportionately women of color – bear the brunt of unpredictable and inadequate work hours.
“The Schedules That Work Act and the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights will change this dynamic, granting working people more control over their work hours and creating more stability for families and employers alike. It is time for all workers to have the right to stability and input in their work schedules so that we can continue to build an equitable economy for all.”
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