New Bill Could Affect Housekeeping Pay, Scheduling

A new bill proposed in both houses of Congress has the potential to impact long-term care facilities.

The "Schedules that Work Act" would require facilities to provide, in writing, the "minimum expected" numbers of work hours that certain low-wage workers, including housekeeping staff at long-term care facilities, can anticipate working each month. Facilities would also have to provide a work schedule a minimum of two weeks in advance.

The bill also calls for certain payment requirements that would kick in for last-minute schedule changes, including one extra hour of pay if a schedule is changed with less than 24 hours' notice, unless the change is due to the unforeseen unavailability of another worker. The bill also calls for extra pay for split shifts and minimum payments for employees who are on-call for shifts.

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