Employee schedules required two weeks in advance and penalty pay for changes
PROVIDENCE March 4, 2020 – Today, Rhode Island lawmakers hold a hearing on a bill that would require employers to set workers’ schedules 14 days in advance and be required to pay the worker penalties if there are changes made within that timeframe. NFIB, the leading small business association in the state, opposes that legislation, House Bill No. 7875.
“This highly restrictive mandate allows the government, with no experience in running a business, to dictate how small businesses are required to schedule their workforce,” said Christopher Carlozzi, state director of NFIB in Rhode Island. “If a restaurant requires fewer servers because of a snowstorm or a movie theater needs additional staff due to a rainy weekend, businesses must have the ability to plan accordingly. Small businesses pride themselves in working with their employees to meet scheduling needs, but another rigid, restrictive mandate will make that nearly impossible, especially under the threat of penalty pay.”
The restrictive scheduling bill intrudes much further into a private business’ operation by requiring employers offer existing workers additional shifts before they can hire any new employees. And, the legislation states those not scheduled for work over a two-week period, even teens or part-timers, be paid at least $150 in “retention” pay.
“Workers at small businesses who once enjoyed flexible work arrangements, will now face unchangeable schedules with no room for modifications. What’s worse is the bill subjects the businesses to civil fines and allows for costly lawsuits over violations which may include back pay and other damages.”
