Bill > H1708

This bill, titled "Establishing just schedules for employees," aims to provide employees with more predictable work schedules and compensation for last-minute changes. It amends existing labor laws to require employers to provide employees with their initial work schedule in writing at least 21 days in advance, and any revisions must be communicated promptly with a revised written schedule within 24 hours. The bill introduces the "Just Scheduling Act," which defines terms like "on-call shift" (when an employer requires an employee to be available to work but not yet scheduled) and "predictability pay" (extra compensation for scheduling changes). Employers will be required to pay predictability pay for certain schedule modifications made less than 21 days but more than 24 hours before a shift, and also for shifts that are shortened or have their start/end times changed within 24 hours of their scheduled start. Additionally, employees are guaranteed a minimum of four hours of pay at their regular hourly rate if required to report to work or if a shift is unexpectedly shortened or canceled within 24 hours of its start. The bill also establishes that employees can decline work hours that occur less than 11 hours after their previous shift ends, and if they do work those hours, they must be paid at one-and-a-half times their regular hourly rate. Importantly, these provisions do not apply to changes initiated by the employee or to mutually agreed-upon shift trades between employees. The Attorney General will be responsible for enforcing these new scheduling requirements.