Poorest big US city endorses predictable work schedules

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 9:40 pm CST, Thursday, December 6, 2018

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The poorest big city in the United States passed legislation that will ensure fast-food, retail and hospitality workers will know when they'll work and how much they'll work.

Philadelphia Councilwoman Helen Gym introduced and championed the measure approved Thursday, which will affect about 130,000 hourly workers.

"We can talk about poverty, or we can do something about it. We choose to do something," Gym said. "This is a win for our city, for Philadelphia's working people, and for smart business practices."

Workers say that without predictable schedules, they can't budget or make plans like doctor's appointments, and it keeps them in a cycle of poverty.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Poorest-big-US-city-endorses-predictable-work-13448581.php

[cstanleytech]

1. Really providing reliable schedules for workers should be federal law especially because

knowing what your schedule will be ahead of time would give employees a chance to do things like go to school or take a part time job somewhere else.

[iluvtennis]

5. + agree. Never knew that unknown schedules was an issue in fast food restaurants - no reason for it

[BigmanPigman]

2. Great idea...should be up there with a realistic, livable minimum wage

[TexasBushwhacker]

3. You wouldn't think a law would be necessary

I worked in retail part time for 13 years in the late 70s and 80s. Always knew my schedule in advance. ALWAYS I have a friend who's been working for Walmart for over 10 years. They still change his schedule on the fly. Ridiculous

[Doreen]

4. Back in the late 90's I worked for Walmart. They gave you your schedule

one week ahead but there were many times you would show up so called late because they changed your schedule after you left work and after the store was closed. They would also change what section you was supposed to be working in overnight. They scheduled your hours radically from day to day to prevent you from getting another job.

[iluvtennis]

6. Wow, just wow. all to keep folks from trying to progress

[Doreen]

7. That's Walmart for you in a small red county.

[appalachiablue]

10. Appalling, glad I haven't needed to use them so far.

People use them because they must, or follow like sheep, knowing nothing of their labor practices.

[Doreen]

11. I hate shopping there.

My counties other businesses have had to move out so choices of places to shop is few. I take my mother there also so I figure I might as well do some shopping also. One thing I have always gotten from them happily is cat litter because it makes me happy that something from Walmart is getting shit on. They have such nasty practices all over the world.

I know a lady who they actually begged to work there because she is a good and pleasant worker. She worked for them for years then when it was time to give her her final and highest raise they give their employees they fired her. All of a sudden she was supposedly not doing her job correctly and not working well with others. I think she was there for 15 years.

[DeminPennswoods]

8. This makes so much sense, not just for workers,

but for businesses, too. Having a set schedule means employees can be more reliable and thus reduce turnover. Is it really that big a deal to ask a person, before they are hired, when they can work and then schedule them for those times after they are hired? Or to advertize what the job hours are beforehand?

[BumRushDaShow]

9. From the OP article (which was AP) - "The visitors' bureau has said it would damage tourism"

The country was FOUNDED here in Philadelphia - Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and on and on. WTF "tourism" is going to be "damaged" by creating meaningful and fair work schedules? You can't un-do the historical significance of this city. If anything, it should improve things industry-wide, particularly in terms of "customer service" because the employee won't have to continue to be shafted over and over due to last minute bait and switch work schedules, which keeps the employee stressed out.

[FakeNoose]

12. A lot of people have to work 2 jobs, especially the min.wage workers

These companies that can't maintain their schedules are forcing people to be "on call" 24/7 and that's just not possible. The payscale isn't good enough for that, and people can't get by on a minimum wage paycheck. It's especially unfair for the younger families with kids - how do they make arrangements for day care etc.? This is a good move for Philadelphia, and I hope it catches on in other cities.