Bill Would Mandate California Stores, Restaurants To Schedule Workers 2 Weeks Ahead

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A lawmaker from the Bay Area has introduced a bill that would require some California retailers and restaurant chains to schedule employees at least two weeks in advance and would give workers additional pay for last-minute changes.

Assemblymembers David Chiu of San Francisco and Dr. Shirley Weber of San Diego introduced AB 357 at the State Capitol on Tuesday. The bill, which they call the "Fair Scheduling Act," would apply to food and retail establishments with 500 or more California employees.

If approved, California would become the first state in the nation with such a law.

"Without fair and predictable work schedules, more and more Californians, particularly part-time and low-wage workers, are struggling to plan for basic life necessities, like child care or a much-needed second job," Chiu said in a written statement.

Chiu told the San Francisco Chronicle that he is still working on how much more companies would have to pay if they need to bring in a worker on short notice.

California has the largest percentage of hourly workers in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.