Workers at Abercrombie & Fitch will soon be able to mentally prepare before they are subjected to working conditions characterized by overwhelming cologne odor and pounding techno music. The retail clothing giant announced last week that it is eliminating "on-call" shifts at all of its 799 U.S.-based stores.
"Over time, we will discontinue the use of call-in shifts throughout the United States and will begin that process in New York this September," Michael Scheiner, a company spokesman, told the New York Times.
The move is likely prompted in part by an investigation by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman into possible labor law violations by 13 large retailers. New York labor law requires employers to pay at least four hours of wages to employees who show up for on-call work, even if the workers are sent home shortly after arriving.
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Under Abercrombie's new policy, workers may be offered work opportunities outside of their schedule but will not be obligated to accept such hours.
Some of the other big chains under investigation include GAP, Victoria's Secret, Target and J.C. Penny. Victoria's Secret announced it would stop the practice in June, and GAP has indicated it is reviewing a change in policy. Target and J.C. Penny insist they do not use on-call workers.
Abercrombie's policy change is in line with an ongoing trend away from on-call hours. Williams Sonoma ditched the practice earlier this year and Starbucks responded to criticism of its scheduling habits by unveiling a policy to provide workers more consistent and predictable schedules.
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