1. California Alternative Workweek Schedule Management Meeting

2. Overview
Under California law, employees are normally due overtime for any hours worked over 8 in one work day.
Employers may offer, and employees may adopt, by a secret-ballot election, a regularly scheduled alternative workweek that authorizes work for no longer than 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek, without the payment of overtime.
An “alternative workweek schedule” is defined as “any regularly scheduled workweek requiring an employee to work more than 8 hours in a 24-hour period.” “Regularly scheduled” means that the employer must schedule the actual work days in advance and give employees notice of the changes to their regular schedule.
There are several steps that employers must take before they may implement an AWS legally.

3. Objectives
Gain an Understanding of Alternative Work Schedules (AWS) in California
Benefits of AWS to the Organization, Employees, and Communities
Work Unit Goals
AWS Implementation Requirements
Schedule Options
Examples of Schedules
Recommended Schedule
Next Steps for Implementation

4. What is an Alternative Workweek Schedule in California?
Alternative workweek Schedules in California are schedules that have been through an employee approval process to work greater than 8 hours in a 24 hour period without receiving overtime.
The AWS in California requires compliance to the California Labor Code Section 511 & Wage Order
Maximum 10-hour shifts
Affected Employees Secrete Ballot Election
Two-thirds majority required
File with DLSE of California
30-day waiting period

5. Alternative Work Schedules Meet Needs of Employers
Having more dedicated employees who are able to maximize their productive time and minimize the effects of outside responsibilities.
Meeting changing and expanding customer expectations and demands, particularly for service and global companies whose customers may be in other time zones or have nontraditional work schedules themselves.
Making better use of facilities and equipment by reducing idle time, energy usage
Reduces absenteeism
May help reduce overtime pay requirements
Retain skilled employees who may have other personal commitments

6. Alternative Work Schedules Meet Needs of Employees
Caring for young children when both parents are working.
Being able to see children off to school.
Caring for an aged parent.
Having non-weekend time to accomplish errands and other personal business.
Scheduling leisure time more easily.
More flexibility to manage work and personal time
Enjoy regular full-day / half-days off while preserving full-time salary
May provide a longer weekend for leisure time
Reduce travel costs
Improve work/life balance 

7. Alternative Work Schedules Meet the Needs of Communities
Reducing traffic congestion with workers on flexible daily schedules, instead of all arriving and leaving work at or near the same time.
Reducing air pollution and energy demand when employees work a compressed workweek or telecommute

8. Disadvantages of Alternative Work Schedules
Alternative work schedules can present the following challenges:
Maintaining ongoing and strong communications with employees on schedules that may vary from their supervisors’ and who may work off-site all or most of the time.
Managing employee relations issues, such as monitoring work and evaluating performance.
Handling resentment by employees who are not eligible for or do not participate in the alternative work schedule program.

9. Work Unit Goal Optimize coverage – 24/7/365
Minimize labor costs/overtime
Align employee satisfaction with business requirements and customer needs

10. AWS - Alternate Workweek Schedules
Labor Code Section 511 & Wage Order
Maximum 10-hour shifts
Employees affected need to vote
Two-thirds majority required
File with DLSE of California
30-day waiting period

11. Menu Options 4/10: Four 10 Hour Days Per Workweek
3/10+2/5: Three 10 Hour Days + Two 5 Hour Days Per Workweek
4/9+1/4: Four 9 Hour Days + One 4 Hour Day
9/80: Four 9 Hour Days + One 8 Hour Day Every Other Week (Requires Workweek Split On 8 Hour Day)

12. Menu Options Examples Example Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Total Hours10
Off 40
B: 3/10+2/5 5
C: 4/9+1/4 9 4
9/80 M T W F S
Total Weekly Hours
Week 1 9 4 40
Week 2
Off

13. 9-hour Shift Recommendation
Employee S M T W F
Total Weekly Hours A 4 9
Off 40 B C D
1st Shift 5:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2nd Shift 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

14. Next Steps Determine the Proposed Schedule. Employee Pre-Vote Meeting
A minimum of 14 days prior to the secret ballot vote
Employee Secret Ballot Election Meeting. 
Adopted in a secret ballot election by at least a two-thirds vote of the affected employees in the work unit.
Reporting and Filing Requirements to the DLSE   
Implementation  
30 days after the announcement of the final results of the election.
Employees should sign a shift schedule agreement.
Accommodations may need to be made for employees who cannot work the approved AWS. (see Accommodations below)
New Employees
May make accommodations for employees who cannot work the AWS schedule, but they are not required to do so unless the reason for not being able to work is a legally protected right such as a disability or religious accommodation.

15. Thank you for your attention and interest!
Questions
Thank you for your attention and interest! 15