Rep. Maloney introduces the “Working Families Flexibility Act”

--Modeled after successful UK plan, bill would help retain employees, reduce training costs--
Mar 3, 2009 Issues: Working Families Flexibility Act, Working Families
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WASHINGTON – Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), George Miller (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA) and Elijah Cummings (D-MD) today introduced the “Working Families’ Flexibility Act” which will ensure that working Americans can ask their employer for modified schedules so they can balance the demands of their jobs and their home life.

“It’s long past time for government and employers to recognize the reality of 21st-century families,” Rep. Maloney said. “Adopting a flexible workplace has been shown to reduce turnover, which helps employers cut costs and retain valuable employees,” Maloney continued. “In the United Kingdom, where these provisions are already in place, over 80 percent of requests have been approved and over 80 percent of employers report no adverse effect from the legislation.”

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Background: This bill was introduced in the last session of Congress by Reps. Maloney and George Miller in the House (HR. 4301), with a Senate companion bill introduced by Sens. Kennedy, Clinton, and Obama in the Senate (S. 2419).

For the full text of the new bill, click here .

Under this legislation:
An employee may request to modify his or her hours, schedule, or work location.
Employees and employers will engage in an interactive process to discuss the employee’s needs and how to address them with no or minimal disruption to the employer’s business.
Employers who deny a request must explain the grounds for the denial.
Employees who make requests are protected from retaliation.
Small businesses are exempt from the law.
The Department of Labor will develop regulations to smoothly administer the process, while ensuring the protection of employees’ legal rights.

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