Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act
Rep. Schakowsky Introduces the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
↔Companion bill: Sen. Warren Introduces the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights ActLegislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill makes it easier for part-time workers to take unpaid time off for family or medical reasons. Currently, workers usually have to be at a job for a year and work 1,250 hours to qualify for these protections, but this change would allow anyone who has been on the job for at least 90 days to use them.
- Employers would be banned from treating part-time workers differently than full-time workers if they do the same kind of work. This means part-time staff should get the same pay rates, more notice about their schedules, and a fair share of benefits like paid time off based on how many hours they work.
- Before hiring new people or using outside contractors, businesses would have to offer those extra work hours to their current employees first. This is designed to help people who want to work more hours but are currently stuck with a part-time schedule.
- When someone is hired, the boss must ask in writing how many hours they want to work and when they are available. If the employer hires someone else for hours an existing worker wanted and was qualified for, the company may have to pay the existing worker for those missed hours.
- These rules would apply to most businesses with more than 15 employees, including big chains and franchises. If a company breaks these rules, workers could sue for lost wages and the government could issue fines starting at $500 to $1,100 per violation.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Businesses with more than 15 employees would face significant new compliance requirements, including collecting and maintaining written statements of employees' desired hours, offering hours to existing staff before hiring, and keeping detailed records for at least 3 years. These administrative burdens could be especially challenging for smaller employers near the threshold who may lack dedicated HR staff. Violations could result in civil penalties of $500 to $5,000 per incident and employee lawsuits for lost wages plus liquidated damages.
Programs
Disabilities
Milestones
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
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News
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Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(33)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.