How fair workweek laws would benefit economic security

Low-wage workers are often forced to go to work with little notice, maintain open availability for on-call shifts without any guarantee of work and have shifts canceled at the last minute, which leads to lost wages. Unfair scheduling practices especially impact women of color, who are overrepresented in the low-wage workforce and among single mothers who work to support their families.

Nine years ago, I worked part-time at a retail store while I was also homeless. During this time, unpredictable schedules and canceled shifts left me feeling hopeless and unable to plan ahead. I felt like a commodity at the hands of an employer who did not see or care about me as a person not only struggling to survive but trying hard to reach economic stability.

In 2015, as a single mother to my 1-year-old daughter, my unpredictable schedule only made my life harder because my daughter also counted on these lost wages just as much as I did to survive. I was also forced to make last-minute childcare arrangements, which put stress on both myself and my childcare provider due to the uncertainty, instability and inability to plan ahead.

If Connecticut really values working families, then we need stronger policies that support the economic security of women who, just like me, are just trying to survive. I support fair workweek legislation to end on-call shifts and increase predictability in pay. I urge Connecticut lawmakers to do the same.

Chenae Russell, East Hartford