Abercrombie & Fitch Agrees To End On-Call Scheduling
![(Prayitno)](../../../../consumermediallc.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/6013914694_771b74ab08_b.jpg?w=1024&h=684)
(Prayitno)
In April, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned 13 major retail companies, including Abercrombie, Target, Sears and Gap, that some stores may be violating state law by using on-call scheduling systems.
It seems Abercrombie was listening, as the company says it’s working on phasing out on-call work schedules, where employees may only have a few hours notice before they’re expected to be at work — or to find out whether they’ll be at home, not getting paid.
“Over time we will discontinue the use of call-in shifts throughout the United States, and will begin that process in New York this September,” a spokesperson for Abercrombie told CBS MoneyWatch. “We believe that this change is beneficial to our store associates, and reflects our commitment to creating a positive work environment.”
The retailer’s hourly and shift workers won’t have to keep a spot open in their schedules for shifts they might not end up working, and will receive a list of their scheduled shifts a week in advance, the company said in a letter to Schneiderman’s office.
Because there are some people who might appreciate a last-minute shift, Abercrombie says it will ask workers if they’d like to get email alerts notifying them when a shift pops up unexpectedly. Even if staffers choose to get those alerts, they won’t be obliged to work those suddenly available shifts.
Abercrombie & Fitch to end on-call work schedules [CBS MoneyWatch]
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.