Predictive scheduling, otherwise known as restrictive scheduling, is a practice that generally encompasses: posting schedules weeks in advance before weather conditions or guest estimations can be made, penalizing employers for cancelling or prolonging work shifts, and hindering hiring practices for new employees who desire part-time work.
Background
The attractions industry relies heavily on part-time employees. On average, 64% of the attractions industry consists of part-time employees and contributes 1.3 million jobs nationally. Unforeseeable events such as weather and guest turn-out impact the overall success of the $219 billion-dollar attractions industry and often dictate the necessary workforce needed during a given work cycle. Flexible scheduling makes it possible for employers to meet the demands of their customers without wasting company resources and allows employees the opportunity to work more or less hours given their personal needs.
Issue
As many as eight states have already voted some variation of predicative scheduling into law. Congress is currently reviewing the Schedules that Work Act which would disproportionately disadvantage the attractions industry, which relies heavily on part-time workforces and flexible scheduling practices.
Outside factors such as weather and guest turn-out affect the day-to-day workings of the industry and make it difficult to estimate the specific needs on a given day weeks in advance. Additionally, scheduling flexibility is often why employees seek part-time work and legislation penalizing schedule changes threatens this flexibility and has the potential to stifle employment opportunities thus making these policies burdensome for both employees and employers.
Position
Scheduling practices should allow for the accommodation of customers on a need-by-need basis, limit waste, and give employees control over the flexibility of their hours with opportunities to succeed.
IAAPA supports policies that give both employers and employees flexibility in the workplace and respect employers’ understanding of their facilities, customers and employees’ needs in the ever-changing climate of the attractions industry.
IAAPA opposes policies that force our members to use scheduling tactics that are wasteful and limiting to employees’ opportunities.
Updated: June 6, 2018
