NEW YORK – Today, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced that legislation (S5811A/A7634A) she authored with former State Senator Daniel Squadron (D- Brooklyn) that would require regular analyses to expand flexible working arrangements within state agencies has been signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. The bill passed the Assembly and Senate with bipartisan support earlier this year.

“With an increased demand for flexible working arrangements and alternative work schedules, flexibility should be seen not as a perk to work around but as a way of enhancing the performance and well-being of men and women, employees and employers alike. This new law takes a step forward in modernizing our workforce and improving the work-life balance of many New Yorkers,” said Assemblywoman Rozic.

Rozic’s 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 provide a snapshot of the current state of alternative work schedules within state agencies to highlight ways to expand them.

“A Better Balance is thrilled that upon the signing of this law, state workers will have a pathway towards the flexibility they need to balance their work and family demands. We applaud sponsors Senator Squadron and Assemblymember Rozic for working so hard to pass this bill and the Governor for signing it. It should serve as a model for other states around the country that want to insure that workers do their best both at home and in the workplace,” said Sherry Leiwant, Co-President, A Better Balance.

“Women’s economic security is more critical than ever with now more than two-thirds of American households being supported by women as the primary or co-breadwinner. And yet, the racial and gender wage gap persists with Black women in the US making 64 cents and Latina women making 54 cents as compared to their white male counterparts. We applaud Assemblywoman Rozic for her efforts in leading the way in New York State’s efforts to improve flexible work programs within state agencies, a key strategy in accelerating economic security for women and families. The New York Women’s Foundation is proud to support community- based organizations advocating for family-friendly workplace policies as our city and our state

continue to assert themselves as a model for progress for women and families,” said Ana Oliveira, President/CEO, New York Women’s Foundation.

“This law will greatly benefit many PEF members whose professional positions require them to work outside of a normal 9-5 schedule in order to provide needed services to New Yorkers. For example, PEF members who work at the Office of Children and Family Services often times can only reach their consumers in the early morning or after 5 PM. This new law is a great first step in recognizing that alternative work schedules allow my members to provide extended services to New Yorkers, as well as allowing them to be there to take care of the needs of their own families,” said Wayne Spence, President, Public Employees Federation.

“At Werk, we believe that flexibility is the key to increasing the number of women in leadership and accelerating the advancement of gender equality. While flexibility positively impacts the productivity and retention rates of all employees, it has the ability to keep 6.6 million women in the workforce. We are proud to live and work in a state that has always prioritized the rights of women and workers,” said Annie Dean, Co-Founder, Werk.

“S5811A/A7634A which requires government agencies to report and share flexible work options will reap enormous rewards for New York including building a more productive, talented and diverse municipal workforce. It can also provide inspiration and information to businesses around the state about important family-friendly strategies which will help close the wage and opportunity gap for women. We applaud Assemblymember Rozic, Senator Squadron and Governor Cuomo for advancing this vision of work which benefits both employees and employers,” said Beverly Neufeld, President, PowHer New York.

Rozic added, “Flexibility is a vital aspect of work, and should be looked at as an opportunity to improve workplaces in various sectors.”

Flexible work schedules aim to increase work-life balance, provide personal and family-related flexibility, and may even help reduce rush-hour commuting congestion. California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island and South Carolina all direct state agencies to allow “flextime” schedules for their workers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This legislation also requires the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (NYSOITS) to assist with the compilation of data and analysis.