Were the Legislature to adopt Gov. Inslee’s supplemental budget proposal as presented, retailers statewide would be required to adopt strict scheduling of employees, according to a Washington Research Council report.

The council reports that SSB 5717 would implement more restrictive requirements than a similar scheduling law in effect in Seattle since July, 2017. SSB 5717 would require schedules to be posted at least 14 days in advance and changes would require additional compensation to employees, according to the report.

Retailers have been objecting to scheduling requirements that penalize them for adjusting schedules to account for variables including weather and customer demands. The Seattle law also discourages hiring by requiring extra hours to be offered to existing employees first. Seattle retailers must maintain scheduling records including changes at all times going back three years.

Gov. Inslee has proposed using about $1.5 million to implement a statewide scheduling bill. The funds could come from accounts used to make disability payments and to settle medical and hospital expenses.

Source: Washington Research Council