The Schedules That Work Act establishes federal protections for employees in retail, food service, hospitality, warehousing, and cleaning sectors at businesses with 15 or more employees who face unpredictable and unstable work schedules. The bill requires employers to provide advance notice of work schedules, allow employees to request flexible scheduling arrangements, and enable workers to decline shifts without adequate rest periods—protections that Congress found are particularly needed by low-income workers, mothers, and workers of color who struggle with last-minute cancellations and inadequate childcare planning. Employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who exercise these rights or file complaints, and must post visible notices in the workplace explaining the law and how to file grievances, with civil penalties up to $100 for willful violations. The legislation does not override existing federal labor and civil rights laws, and explicitly preserves collective bargaining rights and protections already negotiated in union contracts. The bill's approach is grounded in successful municipal and state-level fair scheduling laws that have improved worker outcomes without reducing employer productivity.
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