HR 1274 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To permit employees to request, and to ensure employers consider requests for, flexible work terms and conditions, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 3, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mrs. MALONEY (for herself, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, and Mr. CUMMINGS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To permit employees to request, and to ensure employers consider requests for, flexible work terms and conditions, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Working Families Flexibility Act’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EMPLOYEE- The term ‘employee’ means an individual--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) who is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i)(I) an employee (including an applicant), as defined in section 3(e) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203(e)), who is not covered under any of clauses (ii) through (v), including such an employee of the Library of Congress, except that a reference in such section to an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in clauses (i)(I) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(A); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) an employee (including an applicant) of the Government Accountability Office;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a State employee (including an applicant) described in section 304(a) of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16c(a));CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) a covered employee (including an applicant), as defined in section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) a covered employee (including an applicant), as defined in section 411(c) of title 3, United States Code; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) a Federal officer or employee (including an applicant) covered under subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) who works an average of at least 20 hours per week or, in the alternative, at least 1,000 hours per year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EMPLOYER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘employer’ means a person who is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i)(I) a covered employer, as defined in subparagraph (B), who is not covered under any of subclauses (II) through (V);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) an entity employing a State employee described in section 304(a) of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) an employing office, as defined in section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) an employing office, as defined in section 411(c) of title 3, United States Code; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) an employing agency covered under subchapter V of chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) is engaged in commerce (including government), in the production of goods for commerce, or in an enterprise engaged in commerce (including government) or in the production of goods for commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) COVERED EMPLOYER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) IN GENERAL- In subparagraph (A)(i)(I), the term ‘covered employer’--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) means any person engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce who employs 15 or more employees for each working day during each of 20 or more calendar workweeks in the current or preceding calendar year;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) any person who acts, directly or indirectly, in the interest of such an employer to any of the employees of such employer; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) any successor in interest of such an employer; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(III) includes an agency described in clause (iii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A) of section 101(4) of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2611(4)), to which subparagraph (B) of such section shall apply.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) DEFINITIONS- For purposes of this subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) COMMERCE- The terms ‘commerce’ and ‘industry or activity affecting commerce’ have the meanings given the terms in section 101 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2611).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) EMPLOYEE; PERSON- The terms ‘employee’ and ‘person’ have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) PREDECESSORS- Any reference in this paragraph to an employer shall include a reference to any predecessor of such employer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Labor.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. STATUTORY RIGHT TO REQUEST FLEXIBLE WORK TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

(a) In General- An employee may apply to the employee’s employer for a change in the employee’s terms or conditions of employment if the change relates to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the number of hours the employee is required to work;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the times when the employee is required to work; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) where the employee is required to work.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Contents- An application submitted under this section shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) state that the application is an application described in subsection (a);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) specify the change applied for and the date on which the employee requests that the change become effective; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) explain what effect, if any, the employee thinks the change applied for would have on the employer and how, in the employee’s opinion, any such effect might be dealt with.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Submissions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PERIOD BETWEEN SUBMISSIONS- If an employee, who has submitted an application under this section to an employer, submits a further application under this section to the same employer before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the previous application was submitted, that further application shall not be covered by section 4.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) FORM AND TIMING- The Secretary shall by regulation specify--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the form of applications submitted under this section; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) when such an application shall be considered to be submitted.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. EMPLOYER’S DUTIES IN RELATION TO APPLICATIONS.

(a) In General- An employer to whom an employee submits an application under section 3 shall consider the application in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Regulations- Regulations issued under subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) shall include provisions that provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) that the employer and the employee shall hold a meeting to discuss an application submitted under section 3 within 14 days after the date of submission;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) that the employer shall give the employee a written decision regarding the application within 14 days after the date of the meeting described in subparagraph (A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) that a decision under subparagraph (B) to reject the application shall state the grounds for the decision, including whether those grounds included--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the identifiable cost of the change in a term or condition of employment requested in the application, including the costs of loss of productivity, of retraining or hiring employees, or of transferring employees from 1 facility to another facility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the overall financial resources involved;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) for an employer with multiple facilities, the geographic separateness or administrative or fiscal relationship of the facilities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) the effect of the change on the employer’s ability to meet customer demand; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) other factors specified by the Secretary in regulation;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) that if the employer rejects the employee’s application, the employer may propose in writing an alternative change to the employee’s hours, times, and place of work;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) that if the employee is dissatisfied with the employer’s decision under subparagraph (B) and the alternative described in subparagraph (D), the employee has the right to request reconsideration of the decision within 14 days after the later of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the date on which the employer gives the employee the decision under subparagraph (B); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) if applicable, the date on which the employer proposes the alternative described in subparagraph (D);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) for procedures for exercising the right to request reconsideration described in subparagraph (E), including procedures requiring the employee to set out the grounds for reconsideration, including any inaccuracies or misstatements that the employee contends were in the employer’s decision;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) that the decision under subparagraph (B) shall include such information as the regulations shall specify relating to the right to request reconsideration under subparagraph (E);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) that the employer and the employee shall hold a meeting to discuss the request for reconsideration described in subparagraph (E) within 14 days after the date on which the employee gives notice of the request for reconsideration to the employer;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) that the employer shall give the employee a written decision regarding the request for reconsideration within 14 days after the date of the meeting described in subparagraph (H);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) that a decision under subparagraph (I) to deny the request for reconsideration shall state the grounds for the decision, including whether those grounds included the factors described in clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (C);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(K) that a statement made under subparagraph (C) or (J) shall contain a sufficient explanation of the grounds for the decision involved;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(L) that the employee shall have a right to be accompanied at meetings described in subparagraph (A) or (H) by a representative of the employee’s choosing with such qualifications as the regulations shall specify; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(M) that if such a representative of the employee’s choosing is not available to attend a meeting described in subparagraph (A) or (H), the meeting shall be postponed;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) may include provisions that provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) that any requirement of the regulations shall not apply in a case in which such an application is disposed of by agreement or withdrawn;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) for extension of a time limit in a case in which the employer and employee agree, or in such other circumstances as the regulations may specify; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) for applications to be treated as withdrawn in specified circumstances; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) may include different provisions for different cases or circumstances.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. PROHIBITED ACTS.

(a) Interference With Rights- It shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right provided under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Interference With Application, Proceedings, or Inquiries- It shall be unlawful for any employer to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any individual because such individual--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) has submitted (or attempted to submit) an application under section 3;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) has filed an action, or has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) has given, or is about to give, any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) has testified, or is about to testify, in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) has opposed any practice made unlawful by this Act; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) has in any other way exercised or attempted to exercise any right provided under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. ENFORCEMENT.

(a) Definitions- Except as provided in subsection (d), in this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EMPLOYEE- The term ‘employee’ means an employee described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 2(1)(A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EMPLOYER- The term ‘employer’ means an employer described in subclause (I) or (II) of section 2(2)(A)(i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) General Authority- The provisions of this Act may be enforced pursuant to the following provisions:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT- An employee who is affected by a violation of a right in section 5 (including a violation relating to a right provided under section 3 or 4) may make a complaint to the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor, alleging that the employer involved has violated section 5. The Administrator shall investigate, and may issue an order making determinations, and assessing a civil penalty described in section 7(a)(1) or awarding relief described in section 7(a)(2), as appropriate, with respect to the alleged violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING- An affected person who takes exception to an order issued under paragraph (1) may request an administrative hearing concerning the order under procedures established by the Secretary that comply with the requirements of sections 554, 556, and 557 of title 5, United States Code, and regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such hearing shall be conducted expeditiously. If no affected person requests the hearing within 60 days after the order is issued under paragraph (1), the order shall be deemed to be a final order that is not subject to judicial review.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ENFORCEMENT- The amount of any penalty assessed against an employer under this subsection, when finally determined, may be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) deducted from any sums owed by the United States to the employer; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) recovered in a civil action brought against the employer by the Secretary in any court of competent jurisdiction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) CIVIL ACTION- An affected person desiring review of an order issued under paragraph (2) (other than a nonreviewable order) may file a petition for review in an appropriate Federal court of appeals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) CIVIL ACTION BY THE SECRETARY FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF- The Secretary may bring an action for a violation described in paragraph (1) in a district court of the United States to obtain the injunctive relief described in section 7(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Government Accountability Office and Library of Congress- Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements with the Librarian of Congress and the Comptroller General of the United States with respect to individuals employed in the Library of Congress and the Government Accountability Office, respectively, to provide for the carrying out of functions of the Secretary under subsection (b) with respect to such individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Other Employees-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995- Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 7, the powers, remedies, and procedures provided in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) to the Board (as defined in section 101 of that Act (2 U.S.C. 1301)), or any person, alleging a violation of section 202(a)(1) of that Act (2 U.S.C. 1312(a)(1)) shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to that Board, or any person, alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this Act against an employee described in section 2(1)(A)(iii).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY CHAPTER 5 OF TITLE 3, UNITED STATES CODE- Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 7, the powers, remedies, and procedures provided in chapter 5 of title 3, United States Code, to the President, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or any person, alleging a violation of section 412(a)(1) of that title, shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to the President, that Board, or any person, respectively, alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this Act against an employee described in section 2(1)(A)(iv).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) EMPLOYEES COVERED BY CHAPTER 63 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE- Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 7, the powers, remedies, and procedures provided in title 5, United States Code, to an employing agency, provided in chapter 12 of that title to the Merit Systems Protection Board, or provided in that title to any person, alleging a violation of chapter 63 of that title, shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to that agency, that Board, or any person, respectively, alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this Act against an employee described in section 2(1)(A)(v).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. REMEDIES.

(a) Administrative Proceedings and Actions for Review-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INTERFERENCE WITH EXERCISE OF RIGHTS- In an action brought under paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of section 6(b), an employer who violates the provisions of section 5(a) (including a violation relating to a right provided under section 3 or 4) shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $1000 and not more than $5,000 for each employee who was the subject of such a violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RETALIATION- In an action brought under paragraph (1), (2), or (4) of section 6(b), if an employer violates section 5(b), the employee who is affected by the violation or the Secretary, as appropriate, may obtain an order awarding such equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement, promotion, back pay, and a change in the terms or conditions of employment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Civil Action by the Secretary for Injunctive Relief- In an action brought under section 6(b)(5), the Secretary may obtain an order--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) restraining violations of section 5 (including a violation relating to a right provided under section 3 or 4); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) awarding such other equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement, promotion, back pay, and a change in the terms or conditions of employment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. NOTICE.

(a) In General- Each employer shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees and applicants for employment are customarily posted, a notice, to be prepared or approved by the Secretary (or the appropriate officer specified in section 12(a), as applicable), setting forth excerpts from, or summaries of, the pertinent provisions of this Act and information pertaining to the filing of a complaint under section 6(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Penalty- Any employer that willfully violates this section may be assessed a civil money penalty not to exceed $500 for each separate offense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. RECORDKEEPING.

Any employer shall make, keep, and preserve records pertaining to compliance with this Act in accordance with regulations issued under section 12.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 10. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

(a) In General- The Secretary (and each officer specified in section 12(a), as applicable) shall provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning compliance with this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Program- In order to achieve the objectives of this Act, the Secretary (and each officer specified in section 12(a), as applicable) shall carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) conducting and promoting research with the intent of encouraging flexibility in work terms and conditions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) publishing and otherwise making available to employers, labor organizations, professional associations, educational institutions, the various communication media, and the general public the findings of studies and other materials for promoting compliance with this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) sponsoring and assisting State and community informational and educational programs; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) providing technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, professional associations, and other interested persons on means of achieving and maintaining compliance with the provisions of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 11. RIGHTS RETAINED BY EMPLOYEES.

Nothing in this Act shall be considered to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee under any Federal or State law, or under a collective bargaining agreement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 12. APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS.

(a) Application to Classes of Employees- Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1)(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act with respect to employees described in clause (i) or (ii) of section 2(1)(A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Comptroller General of the United States and the Librarian of Congress shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act with respect to employees of the Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress, respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance shall issue (in accordance with section 304 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1384)) such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act with respect to employees described in section 2(1)(A)(iii);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the President (or the designee of the President) shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act with respect to employees described in section 2(1)(A)(iv); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act with respect to employees described in section 2(1)(A)(v).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Transitional Provisions- A regulation issued under subsection (a) may contain such transitional provisions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in connection with the application of any of the provisions of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 14. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) In General- This Act takes effect 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, except as provided in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Collective Bargaining Agreements- In the case of a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the effective date prescribed by subsection (a), this Act shall apply on the earlier of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the date of the termination of such agreement; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the date that occurs 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink