NYC Worker Scheduling Law Draws Business Group Lawsuit

New York City’s new ordinance that’s designed to help employees avoid last-minute changes in their work schedule is preempted by state law, according to a lawsuit filed Dec. 3 by a group of business associations.

The Fair Workweek Law requires employers to finalize work schedules at least three weeks in advance for fast food restaurants and three days in advance for retailers. An employer that makes a change within that window must pay affected workers a schedule change premium.

It’s rooted in the idea that requiring an employee to work on short notice can disrupt time an employee expected to ...