The attorneys general of 8 states are scrutinizing big retailers over their staffing practices and whether they require workers to show up or stay home with little notice, reports Fortune (April 13, 2016). Warning letters have been sent to Target, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Sears, J. Crew, Urban Outfitters, Williams Sonoma, and other chains they believe are using on-call scheduling.
On-call scheduling systems have made big retailers more nimble, allowing them to staff stores during busy times and save on payroll during slow days. The software used by many retailers forecasts staffing needs based on real-time sales and traffic information.
Some employers require on-call workers to check in by phone, email or text shortly before their shift. If the store is expected to be busy, they must come in; if things are slow, they are told not to report for work, and aren’t paid. These systems have been criticized by worker advocates, who say on-call scheduling makes workers’ lives and pay unpredictable.
The retailers are being asked to provide information about how they schedule employees, including whether they use software from vendors such as Kronos and Workplace Systems to schedule labor hours, or penalize employees who don’t follow on-call procedures. Schedule instability has emerged as a public policy issue in recent months, highlighted in hourly workers’ campaigns for higher wages. A 2015 report examined the prevalence of unpredictable schedules among young adults, and found that 41% receive their schedules a week or less in advance, and half have no input into the timing of their hours.
Classroom discussion questions:
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of on-call scheduling.
- Why has this become a public policy issue?
