Abington economist: Employee-centered scheduling benefits all

Lonnie Golden introduced himself to the District of Columbia Council "as a long-ago supermarket utility clerk as my first job, where I experienced scheduling instability in my formative years. It was the toughest job I've ever had." ABINGTON, Pa. Lonnie Golden , professor of economics at Penn State Abington, testified Jan. 13 at a hearing on proposed legislation aimed at eliminating erratic work schedules for hourly employees in the District of Columbia. Golden, a nationally acknowledged and widely published expert, presented his analysis before the Council of the District of Columbia 's Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs. The two bills would: require a minimum 30-hour work week for maintenance employees in large commercial office spaces; and require larger retail and food services companies to provide advance notice of schedules and offer extra hours to current workers before hiring new ones. It also calls for those with similar jobs to receive equal wages, benefits, and promotion opportunities regardless of hours worked.