Job Quality: Scheduling and Overtime
Another major area of concern for our members in the warehouse sector is related to job quality in the context of scheduling and overtime. Our members shared that compulsory or mandated overtime was unpopular with their colleagues. At the same time, there were concerns with how “overtime” was designated, with employers setting higher and higher thresholds of hours worked in a day or week before overtime pay rules applied.
In addition, irregular and last-minute scheduling undermined work/life balance, with some warehouse workers not knowing until a day or two in advance what their next week of work will look like. This kind of instability and unpredictability makes it difficult for warehouse workers to plan and conduct their lives outside of work. Warehouse work can be seasonal and business levels can certainly vary due to a variety of dynamics, but the employers’ increasing preference for an “on demand” workforce is a major contributor to this problem.