I wanted to draw your attention to an ordinance that the Workforce Development Committee of the City of Chicago is about to vote on July 22 (here’s a link to the committee — look at the pdf for the actual ordinance). The ordinance is called Chicago Fair Workweek Ordinance it prescribes how and when employers of companies of over 100 employees should inform employees of their work schedule. The intention is that low-wage employees have predictable work schedule, which everybody deserves. The ordinance as it is written may have unintended consequences as it burdens businesses with real red tape and fines. Have a look, it would be a good topic to discuss with your alderman, and with small business owners.
– Targeting 100+ companies p5: Why does the ordinance target companies over 100 employees (p5)? This impacts women and minority owned businesses which are generally small businesses under 500 employees. Also it discourages employers to take a chance on hiring that 101 employee who may be an intern, a veteran, a formerly incarcerated individual, someone with a chronic illness or with a disability. Why burdening growing businesses? This is top of mind as I was part of a circle discussion on Creating Career Pathways.
– Using Facebook for Communication p10: Why direct businesses to use Facebook to communicate workschedule (p.10)? Isn’t there a privacy issue? plus it is bringing the employer into people private lives, is that really what the city should be encouraging. Also, why does the city of Chicago pick a large tech giant as the preferred workschedule messaging technology?
– Posting the Ordinance p35: Isn’t requesting prominent posting on worksite antiquated? (p35) Today’s definition of worksite is so fluid. How is this implementable and how can businesses be fined on this when worksites are homes, clients’, remote location.
Read the ordinance and you will have a lot of questions… the fines are steep, there are retention requirements of records, specific hotel banquet exceptions.
Post what you find out. If you are not in Chicago, an ordinance like this may be proposed in your town by United4Respect https://united4respect.org/ you could participate in shaping it.
