Recent bill failed, but labor movement is targeting the issue for next big battle.
Could a ‘Fair Scheduling’ Effort Resurface Next Session?
Lucky for Maryland small business owners, this
session’s “fair scheduling” bill (HB1175/SB664) died in committee—but that may
not be the end of it.
The proposal would have required employers to
announce employee work schedules three weeks in advance, and any changes to the
schedule after the three-week mark would have entitled the employee(s) in
question to earn an hour of “predictability pay” per each shift affected. Under
the bill, employers would have also been required to offer any extra hours of
work to current employees before being allowed to hire new employees, temps, or
subcontractors.
NFIB opposed this measure and spoke out about
the harmful impact to small business owners. Ultimately, even if well-intended,
legislation like this is out of touch with the reality of running a business.
Small business owners and their employees are already solving staffing issues
on their own by trading shifts or similar self-directed actions, so a
government mandate that imposes extra payment liabilities is not needed.
The issue may be picking up steam nationwide,
however. CBS News recently reported that the Fight for $15 movement is adding
“Fight for a Fair Workweek” to its agenda. And in Maryland, Attorney General
Brian E. Frosh recently signed on to letters expressing concern about the use
of on-call shifts—in which employers assign shifts with a few hours’ notice—in
the retail industry. This may be an issue to watch.
