The legislation includes new requirements for distribution centers to disclose work speed data to current and former employees.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that legislation protecting warehouse workers from unreasonably demanding work quotas is now in effect. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act, signed in December, includes new requirements for distribution centers to disclose work-rate data to current and former employees to inform them about their job performance and rights in the workplace. The legislation also protects workers from disciplinary action or dismissal outright for failing to meet undisclosed quotas or performance standards, including those that do not allow for appropriate breaks.
“Warehouse workers in New York deserve to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect, and we are taking an important step toward making that happen,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to have signed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act to address unreasonable work quotas and provide warehouse workers with protection from retaliation by their employers. With this legislation in effect, we stand firm Our commitment to ensuring a fairer and safer workplace for all New Yorkers.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said“Our warehouse workers play an important role in keeping our supply chains running and they deserve to be treated fairly and equitably. I thank Governor Hochul and the Legislature for enacting the Warehouse Worker Protection Act to ensure these workers are not taken advantage of And get the protection they deserve.”
With the Warehouse Worker Protection Act in effect, employees can request quota information at any time and are protected from:
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Forced to rely on food as a quota -
Limit use of bathroom facilities to create quotas -
Retaliation by an employer for requesting quota information or reporting a quota-related violation
The law applies to both employers and employees of warehouse distribution centers. By law, warehouse distribution centers are defined using North American Industry Classification System codes for warehousing (excluding agricultural product storage), commercial wholesalers, e-shopping and mail order companies, and courier and courier services.
If employees believe their employer has violated these protections, they can request a written statement of the quotas they are subject to. They can also request a copy of their individual work speed data for the most recent 90 days, as well as a copy of aggregate work speed data for similar employees at the same agency for the same period. It is the employer’s responsibility to distribute this information within 14 calendar days of receiving the request.
Employers must share quotas with employees by describing (in their preferred language) each quota they expect to achieve in writing. This must be done within 30 days of the employee’s date of employment.
For more information on the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, visit NYSDOL website. To report a violation of this law, please email labor.sm.warehouse.worker.claims@labor.ny.gov.
New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said: “Warehouse workers suffer serious work-related injuries at more than twice the rate of the average for all private industries. These workers, who often spend entire shifts speeding through tasks in an effort to meet employer-imposed quotas, often suffer musculoskeletal and repetitive stress injuries.” Warehouse The Worker Protection Act puts long overdue restrictions in place to protect warehouse workers from inhumane quotas and to protect them from retaliation for asserting their rights under this law. We thank Governor Hochul for again putting important The protection of our workers is our top priority.”
RWDSU President Stu Appelbaum said, “By signing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, Governor Hochul has taken an important step toward protecting warehouse workers throughout New York State. This legislation is an important step in ensuring workers are not forced to choose between their jobs and their safety. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and the Legislature to find additional solutions to keep workers safe.”
