Bill > HB367

This bill establishes the Flexible Working Arrangements Act, which gives employees at companies with 50 or more workers the right to request flexible working arrangements once per year. Under the bill, a flexible working arrangement means changes to an employee's work schedule, such as altered hours, work-from-home options, or job sharing, but excludes vacation and routine shift scheduling. Employers must consider these requests in good faith and can only deny them based on specific business-related reasons, such as additional costs, impact on business performance, or inability to reorganize work. The bill requires employers to respond to requests in a timely manner and prohibits retaliation against employees who make such requests. The Department of Labor and Industry is tasked with enforcing the law, investigating potential violations, and has the power to issue warnings or administrative fines up to $500 for repeated violations. Importantly, the bill does not create a private right to sue and does not require employers to accept flexible working arrangements, but aims to provide a structured process for employees to discuss potential schedule modifications. The law will take effect 180 days after passage, giving employers time to prepare for the new requirements.