NWLC Applauds Reintroduction of the Schedules That Work Act and Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act  

(Washington, D.C.) Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Jan Schakowsky reintroduced the Schedules That Work Act and the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act—two critically needed bills that will extend vital protections to millions of people working in low-paid and part-time jobs.

The Schedules That Work Act curbs the use of “just-in-time” scheduling practices, which leave working people scrambling to manage unpredictable work schedules and volatile incomes. The bill requires employers in certain industries to provide two weeks’ notice of work schedules and compensation for last-minute shift changes. The bill also guarantees all employees the right to adequate rest between shifts and the right to request a schedule change without fear of retaliation. The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights requires employers to grant part-time and full-time employees equal wages, benefits, and promotion opportunities when they perform substantially similar jobs, and to offer additional hours to existing part-time workers who want to work more before making new hires.

The following is a statement by Emily Martin, Vice President for Education & Workplace Justice at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC):

“When workers don’t know when or how much they’ll work each week, it becomes impossible to make a budget, secure reliable child care, schedule doctor’s appointments, or otherwise plan their lives. But for millions of people—especially women and people of color—this instability is a daily reality due to employer scheduling practices that ignore workers’ needs, and this is particularly true for part-time workers. 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. We urge Congress to take up and pass this vital legislation.”