The Step Forward Foundation and the California Fast Food Workers Union, SEIU, conducted a survey last July and August of 300 employees at 213 fast food restaurants owned by 32 different brands in 83 cities across the United States. A report containing the results of the first survey of its kind was published. California.
The surprising findings show that 88% of workers surveyed were able to correctly answer the majority of questions regarding basic workplace rights such as paid sick leave, working hours, overtime pay, meal times, and breaks. It became clear that it was not. Additionally, 93% of workers surveyed had never heard of or knew how to access most of the key benefits and programs available to them or their families. Workers were asked if they knew about and how to obtain paid sick leave, paid family leave, the California Family Rights Act, state disability insurance, and workers' compensation.
The study found that fast-food workers were given misinformation by management about nearly every category of rights, including health and safety, wages and hours, child labor protections, and essential benefits. They report that they either provide no information at all or that they do not provide any information at all. Under the law, employers are required to inform workers of their rights.
The report also found that “Know Your Rights” training by an independent third party is needed to ensure fast food workers know their rights, and that the Step Forward Foundation It recommends that organizations provide effective training models for low-wage workers, including those with low wages.
Effective training needs to be interactive and engage employees in discussions about real-life scenarios they might face. Training should also be comprehensive and cover topics such as the process of applying for mandatory programs and benefits and the process of filing claims with relevant state agencies. Training should also connect workers with resources such as legal advice centers and local legal aid organizations. Finally, effective training should include sufficient time for employees to ask questions.
At a March 7 press conference, Councilman Peter Ortiz called on the San Jose City Council to pass an ordinance mandating mandatory training and expanded paid sick leave for fast food workers.
Fast food workers have a right to know their rights. Encourage your City Council member to support mandatory training and increased paid sick leave for fast food workers.
San Jose Spotlight columnist Ruth Silver Taub is the supervising attorney for the Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center's Worker Rights Clinic and oversees the Santa Clara County Labor Standards Enforcement Office's legal advice line. He is an attorney and a member of Santa Clara County Fair Workplace. Cooperative. Her column appears on the second Thursday of each month. To contact her, [email protected].
