Retailers being sued in California over seating

Star-Telegram (AP) ^ | 6-19-11 | Paul Elias

[engrpat]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Retail store operators may want to sit down for this one -- if they can find a chair.

Nearly every national chain is under legal attack in California for failing to provide "suitable seating" for cashiers and other employees who are expected to spend most of their workday on their feet.

[engrpat]

The story goes on to explain how mainly big box stores are being sued for failing to provide suitable seating for cashiers.

Look for more business to either leave or reduce their presence in the state.

[Mrs.Z]

They will just buy stools...

but wait...

didn’t we just get the word that “sitting is more dangerous than smoking”?

CA is now killing people AND jobs.

[Vision]

I was talking to a hotel exec and all employers in California must provide seating for employees, not just retail stores. It’s a nightmare but then so are the majority of Californians.

[bgill]

Stores will eliminate cashier jobs by having more self check-outs.

[CrazyIvan]

One of our local checkers has a prostetic leg (and a purple heart and bronze star). The store has his lane set up so he can work seated.

[Vendome]

fine by me.

[bgill]

But don’t expect stores to give the savings back to the customers with lower prices.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks engrpat. George Costanza provided a chair for the security guard, look how well that worked out.

for failing to provide "suitable seating" for cashiers and other employees who are expected to spend most of their workday on their feet

Someone's missing the obvious -- if they spend most of their workday on their feet, and the employer requires them to wear shoes, the employer should be providing the shoes, too. And since they're required to be to work on time, they should have their transportation to and from work paid for. Oh, and they have to eat lunch during a day shift, that should also be provided...

[Huskrrrr]

My first boss told me “If you've got time lean, you've got time to clean.” I was a cashier at McDonalds.

[hattend]

"All working employees shall be provided with suitable seats when the nature of the work reasonably permits the use of seats," the provision says. "When employees are not engaged in the duties of their employment and the nature of the work requires standing, an adequate number of suitable seats shall be placed in reasonable proximity to the work area and the employees shall be permitted to use such seats when it does not interfere with the performance of their duties."

Sounds to me that some sort of "break room" is in order. Stupid F'n lawyers are going to shut down even more jobs in California.

How is Jerry Brown going to keep the handouts going without taxpayers?

[COUNTrecount]

Employers will hire ATMs to do those jobs.

[Kay]

IMO, this is about time. Being able to sit intermittently will be quite helpful. I don’t know how checkers stand for 8 hrs every day without being able to sit — especially the pregnant women & older folks.

I think it was California that led the way on no smoking in restaurants, infant car seats, & the seat belt laws — starting back in the 1980s when Rush was railing against the smoking laws. He is not always right and he acknowledges that every day w/ his “97.9%”.

[ThomasThomas]

This a group of lawyers using vague laws to my them self rich.

[hattend]

I don’t know how checkers stand for 8 hrs every day without being able to sit — especially the pregnant women & older folks.

They don't. When I was working retail we had to take frequent breaks by law. Go back to the break room and sit down for 10 minutes. I got in trouble once for working 4 hours straight without a break. The horror! (Yes, this was in California)

[Terry Mross]

Don’t forget the clocks. If they have to be there at a certain time the employer should provide clocks.

As for those who say employees shouldn’t have to stand for 8 hours, try a little factory work. We used to get a 10 minute break every two hours. Plus 30 minutes for lunch.

I think this law is going to require that checkers have a stool to sit on when there’s no one in line. Don’t agree. They could be doing something else if they’re not on break.

[SoldierDad]

There are lots of jobs in which people are unable to sit for their 8 hour work day. Are we, the taxpayer and consumer, to pay for these people to have seats? Is CA willing to lose even more jobs by forcing this ridiculous requirement upon employers? Accommodations for those who need it is one thing. Forcing all employers to provide all employees a chair to sit upon is madness.

[SoldierDad]

There are lots of jobs in which people are unable to sit for their 8 hour work day. Are we, the taxpayer and consumer, to pay for these people to have seats? Is CA willing to lose even more jobs by forcing this ridiculous requirement upon employers? Accommodations for those who need it is one thing. Forcing all employers to provide all employees a chair to sit upon is madness.

[Shire]

Self check-out stations in every line. Who needs a person?

[COBOL2Java]

Banned in California

[oh8eleven]

George Costanza provided a chair for the security guard, look how well that worked out.