This wage order forces businesses to compensate employees with one hour of additional pay at basic minimum wage for any day of work where the spread of hours is in excess of ten hours.  As several businesses are continuing to struggle to grow, let alone make a profit, many hotels and restaurants will not be able to afford paying the additional hour for longer shifts. As a result, the practice of working days in excess of 10 hours often referred to as "doubles", will come to an end.

Double shifts are a valuable tool in the hospitality industry and have been commonplace for decades. Employees value the flexibility they provide, as they allow the employee the ability to earn two shifts worth of wages in a singe day.  This consolidation of work means they are free to pursue other activities, secondary careers, and go to school. There are many stories throughout the industry of people "putting themselves through college" thanks to their job in the hospitality industry.

Employers are able to carry a more knowledgeable workforce and maintain consistency during the course of a working day. As conditions change daily in many hospitality businesses, not having to repeat pertinent information to an entirely new set of employees on every shift is beneficial. Also, morale at the workplace remains high when employees are allowed to work doubles as they often earn greater tips and can maintain flexibility in their lives.

In conclusion, this petition is about employers and employees, managers and hourly employees, uniting under a common flag.  I believe that the practice of working days that spread over 10 hours is not in excess of what should be reasonably expected of an employee in the hospitality industry and therefore should not result in a penalty for the places of business. 

I request that the New York State Department of Labor take this petition under consideration and rescind Wage Order 146-1.6. Rescinding this order will increase morale, productivity, and flexibility for hospitality workers. Hourly workers want to work doubles and employers want to allow them to work it. Please remove the barrier and penalty that is now placed between two groups that want the same thing.