Opinion: Flexible economy making workers’ lives hell
By Robert Reich
These days it’s not unusual for someone on the way to work to receive a text message from her employer saying she’s not needed right then.
Robert Reich
Although she’s already found someone to pick up her kid from school and arranged for childcare, the work is no longer available and she won’t be paid for it.
Just-in-time scheduling like this is the latest new thing, designed to make retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, and other customer-driven businesses more nimble and keep costs to a minimum.
Software can now predict up-to-the-minute staffing needs on the basis of information such as traffic patterns, weather, and sales merely hours or possibly minutes before.
Great article that is pertinent to our economic woes here in Tahoe. The entire economy suffers when a large percentage of our local workers are constantly getting called off work or sent home. It is crushing individuals, families and the community.
Littleone, Yes, hours being cut at work, reduced hourly pay or complete loss of a job. Then only to find no one is hiring.
Many locals are on state welfare or some other assistance and going to the food pantries or they just move away to where they can find work so they can stay alive.
The poor, seniors, veterans and the middle class are being wrung out of every last penny they have.
Sad state of affairs! OLS
Restaurants can be very difficult to schedule. Motels should know around bedtime of the maids if they will be needed the next day.