HB487

This bill is a simple, straightforward way to show workers throughout the state that their quality of life matters. Having the time to plan for the upcoming week is something we all need and try to do. Not knowing your work schedule in advance can and does create hardships. Doctor appointments, child care, caregiving for a family member are a few examples of items that we need to time to plan for. Please support this bill. Thank you.

I think employers should have to give as much notice as possible for scheduling. It’s very difficult to plan anything when you don’t know when you have to work.

I support this bill because I support the hard working men and women of the granite state.protect them. Protect them now.

I support this bill as it gives workers the chance to make arrangements for scheduling purposes. Workers should have the chance to address scheduling conflicts such as medical appointments and/or personal challenges such as scheduling pick-up of children from schools or school activities.

Dear Representatives, I urge you to SUPPORT this bill. This bill aims to provide workers in our state more scheduling predictability, a small ask from our employers. As someone who has worked inconsistent schedules due to my profession, it was always important to me to work for companies that gave appropriate notice so I could plan for family and personal responsibilities. This bill will be especially helpful for those with childcare needs. Thank you for your time.

This bill is good for employers and employees. It gives both a realistic time to adjust to changes in schedules.

SUPPORT HB487 If you are claiming to support working families, then you should support this bill. Robin Helrich Hopkinton, NH

I was an hourly worker for over 30 years in businesses large and small, and I can tell you that well organized businesses have no trouble planning their staffing week by week at least two weeks ahead. Emergencies for both the business and the workers can and do come up, but in a well run business, everybody is willing to pitch in and help precisely because most of the time they don't have the stress of uncertainty. If there are people trying to run a business without this basic bit of organization, they will benefit from being pushed to undertake this discipline.

Why hasn’t this been a law before this ?!? Every employee needs to plan their lives around work & family responsibilities. This is a no brainer.

The bill seems very reasonable. Predictability of business levels and size of the business are taken into account. Employees need the ability to plan.

Having been a shift worker in New Hampshire, I know first-hand the instability of having a week-to-week schedule. Although employers and employees do their best to match calendars, schedules inevitably conflict. When last-minute commitments arise for employees, often education or childcare-related, workers and businesses struggle to make alternative arrangements. Events like this cause workers to take home less pay, while employers are left short-staffed. Giving seven days of notice of work schedules will strengthen New Hampshire's economy, serving both Granite Staters and Granite State businesses. When additional work shifts open in advance, workers who wish to pick up more hours will have the opportunity. HB487 is common sense legislation that targets a serious problem in our state that rarely gets attention. This bill accounts for special circumstances, providing reasonable exceptions for workplace emergencies and small businesses. If enacted, HB487 will provide scheduling stability and economic security to Granite State workers and businesses. I strongly urge this bill's passage.

As a retired micro-business owner, and as an elected official I support this bill. It will be a good thing for the employees. Too many times over the years, I had to change appointments, or ask to change outside events because my client had a last minute schedule change, or just a last minute schedule. This bill would allow hourly wage earners to have some stability and predictability in their lives. It would make them more productive which benefits the employer. And, it would encourage the employer to plan ahead which is also good for the employer. How many times do you have a bill that is win-win.

Employees deserve to be respected and this bill will provide a modicum of respect to those workers who must live by the schedules of their bosses, which are too often changed or sprung on them at the last minute, upending the stability of their lives. A mere one week notice is hardly a major inconvenience for employers while truly helping their employees. Think about what it would mean to you if you have no idea from week to week what your work days or hours would be. How could you plan anything? How would that impact the quality of your life? Please support this bill. This will be a positive development for all.

I support HB487 because hourly workers deserve advance notice of their scheduled working hours in order to plan their lives and care for their families. How can we expect waitresses and home health aides to care for us when they don't have advance notice of their schedules?

I believe this bill is good for employees so they know their schedule to arrange for childcare, eldercare, and transportation, make medical appointments, etc. Also I believe this bill is good for our economy in that it allows people to plan accordingly and to be able to pick up extra work to get ahead. Thank you

If part-time employees are valuable to a business, how much more valuable if those workers punch in feeling good about how they are treated.

This bill supports both employees and our local economy. By having advance notice of their schedules, employees can arrange childcare, transportation, medical appointments and STILL do a good job! And with the shortage of workers here in NH, employees can also pick up extra work if they know their schedules in advance.

I am writing to express my strong support for House Bill 487, which seeks to improve workplace transparency by requiring employers to provide hourly employees with at least seven days' notice of their work schedules. This legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring fairness, stability, and predictability for New Hampshire’s workforce, particularly for hourly workers who often struggle with last-minute scheduling changes. Why I Support HB 487 Predictability for Workers & Families Many hourly workers are parents, caregivers, or students who need consistent scheduling to balance work and personal responsibilities. Advance notice will help employees plan for childcare, transportation, education, and medical appointments, reducing financial and emotional stress. Economic Stability & Job Retention Last-minute scheduling changes make it difficult for employees to secure secondary jobs or maintain a stable income. By providing predictable schedules, businesses can reduce turnover rates and increase workforce stability, benefiting both employers and employees. Fairness Without Overburdening Small Businesses HB 487 excludes small businesses with fewer than 15 employees, ensuring that only larger employers are held to this standard. It also allows for flexibility in emergency situations, ensuring businesses are not unfairly penalized. Protection Against Retaliation This bill ensures that employees can exercise their rights without fear of losing their jobs or facing employer retaliation. A fair and transparent workplace fosters higher job satisfaction and productivity, which benefits the broader economy. Conclusion HB 487 is a common-sense solution that balances the needs of both employees and businesses. It provides stability and fairness to workers while ensuring that employers can still operate effectively. I urge you to support this bill and stand up for New Hampshire’s working families.

I am in full support of this bill, as it is a very minor request to employers (I have been an employer who has had to set schedules and I do understand the challenges in doing this) and a very significant benefit to employees, who are often hourly with less than adequate pay or job security. Not knowing at least a week in advance what your hours or schedule may be makes the lives of employees very difficult. How do you plan for childcare, elder care, transportation, schedule medical appointments, take your dog to the vet--how do you live your life--when you have no idea what your schedule will be until immediately before your pay period begins? Providing more stability and ability to plan for these employees is vital for everyone. Productivity will increase, job satisfaction can improve and it may be able to contribute to our economy if these employees are supplementing their income and need to know their schedules in order to do that. Again, this is a minor ask for employers that will have a big, positive impact on workers and our community. Please support the passage of this bill.

Employees need to take care of their families. They need to plan ahead for daycare, appointments, care for elderly parents etc. They need a work schedule. Some workers need more than one job. They need to be able to schedule and juggle their time. More jobs filled, better for our economy.

This common sense bill helps employees and employers plan out their schedules for both known needs and unexpected surprises. Working parents need to know their work schedules in advance in order to arrange childcare. Employers need to know employee availability to arrange backup coverage. Making this law will create stability and consistency for both employers and employees. Pass this good bill.