Committee Clears Ordinance to Enforce Fair Workweek Policy
The “Fair Work Week” ordinance has cleared the Economic Development and Jobs Committee of the Los Angeles City Council. The ordinance would put in place several requirements for retail workers including more predictable work schedules and time off. If passed, the policy will take effect in April 2023, affecting retail businesses with over 300 people.
At Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP, our lawyers fight for those who have been mistreated at work in Los Angeles. If your rights have been violated, we can help you file a claim for damages. All workers deserve a fair, equitable, and predictable work environment. If you believe that your employer is not following the law, contact our office at (213) 232-4848 for a free consultation.
What Protections Are in the Fair Work Week Ordinance?
According to NBC Los Angeles, the Economic Development and Jobs Committee has cleared the Fair Work Week Ordinance which would afford retail workers several protections. Similar policies have been passed in cities across the country.
The Fair Workweek Policy would require that retail workers be given:
- Work schedules at least 2 weeks in advance;
- At least 10 hours of rest in between shifts;
- Good faith estimate of their work schedule when hired; and
- One-and-a-half times pay for employees whose shift begins less than 10 hours from the previous shift.
The policies are designed to help retail workers obtain a more predictable work schedule. Violators of the ordinance could face up to a $500 fine per penalty. Nearly 3 years in the making, the ordinance will next go to the City Council.
Why the Fair Work Week Ordinance is Important
The Los Angeles Fair Work Week Ordinance, originally proposed by Councilman Curren D. Price, Jr. in 2019, came on the heels of a study by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). The study found that 8 in 10 retail workers had “unpredictable, last-minute, and fluctuating work weeks over which they have no control.”
In most cases, retail workers received less than one week’s notice of their schedules. The ordinance would stop many of these practices, eliminating some of the inequities in the industry. Affected employers are companies identified as retail businesses or establishments in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) with over 300 employees globally.
In addition to the initiatives listed above, the new regulations would remove the requirement that an employee finds coverage for a shift they were unable to work for legal reasons. Additionally, employers would be required to offer work hours to current employees before hiring new ones. Employees who have their rights violated should consult with a Los Angeles employment lawyer.
Learn More About This and Other Worker Protections
Contact our office to learn more about the Los Angeles Fair Work Week Ordinance and other worker protections. Call our office now at (213) 232-4848 for a free consultation.
Get the high-quality legal representation you need and deserve. Employers must be held accountable for their wrongdoing. If your rights were violated at work, we may be able to help.
