Businesses need flexible scheduling, not a rigid Fair Work Week

The Chicago Sun-Times’ recent editorial endorsing the City Council’s proposed rigid, restrictive scheduling ordinance is really an endorsement to eliminate flexibility for workers while subsequently increasing costs for employers. Advocates claim this is a “compromise ordinance,” but that is false. They clearly don’t understand the very real reasons why employers and employees across a wide range of industries require a more fluid scheduling process. These reasons range from employees quitting without notice, calling in sick, peak customer times and unsafe weather conditions, just to name a few.

Additionally, the proposal requires the employer to pay extra money to an employee if, as an example, they have to replace a worker who quit without notice or called in sick. Not only that, but employers would also face fines from the city and increased litigation costs, essentially punishing employers financially for scheduling changes outside their control.

As any good employer knows, scheduling workers is a complicated and ever-changing process, especially when they make efforts to accommodate employee requests. Imposing rigid rules such as this one will not aid in employee retention but will instead eliminate flexibility for employees, reduce hours and lead to fewer job opportunities — putting at risk our ranking as a culinary capital and erasing gains we have made as a tech hub.

Employers need to be able to offer flexible schedules that work best for their specific employees and customers. Adding yet another regulation into Chicago’s already heavily regulated business community will do just the opposite.

Jack Lavin, president and CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Rob Karr, president and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association

Sam Toia, president, Illinois Restaurant Association Marc Gordon, president and CEO, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association