Taking a stand to sit

I recently became aware of new legislation in California that I believe should be recognized on a larger scale across the country.

Are you sitting down? If so, that means you and thousands of others have the opportunity to now sit on the job.

In 2016, California’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of the people, declaring that employers must allow suitable seating options for employees. That is, if the tasks can be performed while mostly remaining seated, and if the space allows for a chair or stool. Cashiers to bank tellers around the state now have the option to take a load off for longer than the scheduled 15- to 30-minute breaks allotted by most employers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, close to 3 million people in the U.S. work in customer service fields.

I think anyone that has ever worked retail or customer service can relate to the harsh physical demands these jobs entail and can appreciate why this legislation is so groundbreaking in the fight for workers’ rights.

So, the question is, why is California the only state to rule on this subject? Standing employees are not always equivalent to alert, professional, and productive employees. It is time to take a stand to let us sit! ALLYSON BOWEN

Fayetteville