Sen. Squadron, AM Rozic Announce Passage of Flex Work Arrangements Bill

Lawmakers Urge Governor to Sign into Law

NEW YORK – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron (D,WF-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Queens) announced passage of their legislation (S5811/A7634) that would take the next step towards implementing flexible working arrangements by requiring regular analyses that can be used to expand flexible arrangements within state agencies. The bill passed the Senate and Assembly with bipartisan support and will now be sent to the Governor for approval.

“As the working world changes, flexible working arrangements have the ability to improve both quality of life and productivity,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “This bill is a part of ensuring the state’s workforce policies are supporting modern workers, and creating employment policies that best match staff schedules with agency needs. I urge the Governor to sign this bill, and thank Assemblymember Rozic, my colleagues, ‘A Better Balance,’ and ‘Women’s City Club.’”

“Flexible working arrangements have been shown to increase worker productivity while providing employees with a pathway towards work-life balance. While the demand for flexible schedule increases, so must the opportunities to determine the best practices that would benefit both employers and employees. I am proud to have worked with Senator Squadron on legislation that has the power to transform workplace dynamics and urge the Governor to sign this bill into law,” said Assemblywoman Rozic.

“At A Better Balance, we believe that all workers deserve the flexibility they need to balance work and family needs. We welcome the passage of this bill and applaud sponsors Senator Squadron and Assemblymember Rozic for focusing more attention on this important issue for state workers,” said Sherry Leiwant, Co-President, A Better Balance.

The Squadron/Rozic bill requires the President of the Civil Service Commission to prepare a biennial report on best practices for flexible work arrangements as well as ways for agencies to implement new and improved flexible work programs. The analysis would be conducted in coordination with the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (NYSOITS) and would provide a snapshot of the current state of alternative work schedules within state agencies to highlight ways to expand them. 

Flexible work schedules aim to increase work-life balance, provide personal and family-related flexibility, and help reduce rush-hour commuting congestion. Squadron and Rozic have pushed for flexible work legislation in the past – this legislation also includes NYSOITS to assist with the compilation of data and analysis.

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