After four hearings, the department obtained significant testimonies from advocates, business owners, industry experts and workers regarding the issue. Based on their testimonies, the department developed a new employee scheduling regulation to protect the most vulnerable low-wage workers. At the same time, employers will continue to have flexibility to operate their businesses successfully.
Highlights of the new employee scheduling regulation
On November 22, the new employee scheduling regulation will be published in the State Register. It will be subject to a 45-day comment period.
Under the regulation, workers will receive a standard14-day advance notice for scheduling. They will receive 2 hours extra pay for last-minute assignment. The existing reporting pay will be expanded to at least four hours. It will include last-minute cancellations, assignments, and on-call shifts requiring employees to be on-stand-by to come to work.
For employers, the regulation offers flexibility by allowing them to offer new shifts without a premium during the first two weeks of worker’s employment. It also allows worker shift swaps and substitutions without penalty. It permits weather related cancellations without penalty with 24-hour notice.
