On the heels of new minimum wage laws, the Seattle City Council, some members of the state Legislature and others are now setting their sights on so-called "predictive scheduling," which would impose mandates on how employers schedule their employees' shifts.

The largely union-funded groups advocating the policy say it would help workers – particularly those in the retail industry – adequately plan their schedules around school, child care, and so on. Employers counter that retail is highly unpredictable and subject to frequent change, and without flexibility in scheduling they cannot adequately run their businesses and serve their customers.

Jumping into the fray today with another perspective – that of teens and youth looking for part-time work – is Calvin Lyons, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County. In a Seattle Times op-ed ("The unintended consequences of scheduling reform"), Lyons writes:

Respectfully, we disagree with this policy for a couple reasons. First, in targeting part-time work, these ordinances seek to resolve a problem that doesn’t exist. Today’s workforce is a diverse mix of people with varied interests — some wanting 40 hours a week and others who don’t. Flexible part-time work is the choice of many members of our community who balance employment and their education, their retirement, their personal interests in the arts and any number of other scenarios — meaning some people simply do not want, and are not seeking, full-time employment.

Second, and more troubling: If enacted, such a law would punish some of the most vulnerable people in our community — the thousands of disconnected youths living in King County.

He points out that although predictive scheduling may have a good social-justice ring to it, in practice it would hurt the youths his organization serves:

Fortunately, many Seattle-area companies are looking for bright, energetic, positive and hardworking additions to their teams. But, infusing this talent requires managers who are willing to schedule around myriad complexities and challenges that define the lives of economically disadvantaged youths.

If managers are limited in the amount of flexibility they can provide, and if part-time employment is reduced, Seattle’s young men and women will suffer. Fewer flexible part-time-employment opportunities mean fewer people would find their all-important first job that provides immediate income and a chance to pursue greater dreams.

As Lyons notes,

Describing the law of “unintended consequences,” author Rob Norton surmised that “actions of people — and especially of government — always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended. Economists and other social scientists have heeded its power for centuries; for just as long, politicians and popular opinion have ignored it.” Unfortunately, recent actions in Seattle are showing that Norton may know what he is talking about.

Predictive scheduling will be a big issue this year – we'll keep our eyes on it and bring you the latest as events unfold.

Calvin Lyons, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of King County
​(photo courtesy positiveplace.org)