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IVCLA Asks Senator Negrete McLeod For Support On Flexible Work Hours For Employees

The Inland Valley Chamber Legislative Alliance (IVCLA) met with Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (32^nd Senate District) to garner her support of a bill calling for flexibility in the workplace.  The bill, which is sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce is tentatively titled The Small Business Family Scheduling Option of 2008 (ABxx—Benoit, Palm Desert). 

The bill would allow small businesses (25 or fewer employees) the option of granting individual employees’ requests to work alternative work schedules, such as 4 ten hour days without the employer being in violation of the daily overtime rules.  Many employers would like to have the option of offering more flexible work schedules to benefit employees and their families.  Unfortunately, with the antiquated overtime rules in California, employers are prohibited from offering any such arrangement.  California is one of only a few states that still have the daily overtime rules versus weekly overtime rules.  Most other states have realized the benefit of allowing employees to have more flexible working hours.

The IVCLA encouraged Senator Negrete McLeod to consider co-sponsoring this bill and provided her with research highlighting the following key points:

· Flexibility in daily overtime rules would benefit both employers and employees.

· Employees struggle with striking a balance between work and family.

· Increasingly long commutes at peak hours diminish the quality of life.

· Fewer trips to the workplace result in lower carbon emission.

· Workplace flexibility isn’t just about working families or women, it’s about everyone.

· Employers who make missteps in using current process can end up in court.

· This bill specifically targets small businesses and would not affect large employers who would remain governed by current legislation.  

Both the IVCLA and the Senator felt the meeting was productive.  The Senator offered advice that might help move the bill forward and invited us back to keep her apprised of the status.