San Francisco Passes Retail Worker ‘Bill Of Rights’

San Francisco approved a retail worker “Bill of Rights” on Tuesday to protect workers from excessive work unpredictability.

As Black Friday approaches, retail workers across the U.S. know the tendencies of businesses to schedule employees last minute or fluctuate how many hours they receive week to week.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously that stores must give retailer workers more predictable schedules and access to work extra hours before stores hire new employees. Businesses must post schedules at least two weeks in advance so shifts are not thrown at workers last minute.

For any schedule changes made within less than 24 hours, workers will be paid an extra two to four dollars. For “on-call” hours and if shifts are cut short, employees will also be compensated.

The ordinances call for part-time and full-time workers to have equal access for scheduling and time-off. Part-time workers also won’t be allowed to be discriminated against for pay or promotions.

If a company is sold, people employed there for six months or more would be guaranteed at least 90 days of work.

This “Bill of Rights” will apply to businesses with 20 or more locations nationally or worldwide and that have at least 20 employees in San Francisco. It’s estimated to affect 12 percent of the city’s retailers.

In opposition, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce claims the ordinances will impose on employers’ staffing decisions. The group is also against how security and janitor personnel are protected under the legislation as well.

While the San Francisco Board passed the retail worker legislation, it now waits on Democrat Mayor Edwin Lee to sign it as law. Even if Lee vetoes, the legislation has enough support to override it.

Unfortunately for workers this holiday season, the ordinance won’t go into effect until next summer.

San Francisco is considered one of the most worker-friendly cities in the U.S. Its current minimum wage is $10.74, and 59 percent of voters want to increase it to $15 between 2017 and 2018.

Congress proposed legislation in July that would give retail workers more predictable hours. Co-sponsor Rep. George Miller, Democrat, said, “Workers need scheduling predictability so they can arrange for child care, pick up kids from school, or take an elderly parent to the doctor.”

The “Schedules that Work” bill has not moved forward since its introduction.

Jobs for Justice organized the bill and plan to lobby for similar ordinances elsewhere.

Do you think other cities should adopt San Francisco’s retail worker “Bill of Rights”?

San Francisco Passes Retail Worker ‘Bill Of Rights’