Starting November 26, 2017, fast food employers in New York City will be required to follow new “Fair Workweek” laws that protect workers’ rights to fair and predictable work schedules. Under these laws, employers at fast food chains with at least 30 stores nationwide will be required to:
Provide workers with their schedules at least 14 days in advance (and provide new hires with their schedule for their first seven days before the start of their first shift);
Post work schedules in a conspicuous area in the workplace;
Obtain workers’ written consent before adding additional hours or shifts to their schedule;
Compensate workers $10-75 for each change to their schedules made with less than 14 days’ notice;
Compensate workers an additional $100 for shifts less than 11 hours apart; and
Offer open shifts to current workers before hiring new employees to fill them.
The Fair Workweek laws specifically make it unlawful for any employer to retaliate against a worker for attempting to exercise his or her rights under these laws. Such unlawful retaliation includes: “threatening, intimidating, disciplining, discharging, demoting, suspending or harassing an employee, reducing the hours or pay of an employee, informing another employer that an employee has engaged in activities protected by this chapter, and discriminating against the employee, including actions related to perceived immigration status or work authorization.”
Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP has recovered millions of dollars for workers who have been victims of unlawful employment practices. If you or someone you know works for a fast food employer you believe is violating the Fair Workweek laws, please contact our office so that we can discuss your legal options.