Warehouse workers now protected from unreasonable quota mandates

Kevin Oklobzija//June 20, 2023//

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New laws protecting warehouse workers from unreasonable work quotas are now in effect in New York.

Under the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which became law on Monday, distribution centers must disclose work speed data and productivity expectations to employees and also notify them of their rights.

The legislation also protects workers from disciplinary action or firing for failing to meet undisclosed quotas or performance standards.

Employees may request quota information at any time and they cannot be forced to work through meals to make quota, the use of bathroom facilities cannot be limited to make quota, and an employer cannot retaliate against any employee requesting quota information or reporting violations relating to quotas.

“Our warehouse workers play a significant role in keeping our supply chain moving, and they deserve to be treated fairly and equitably,” Roberta Reardon, New York State Department of Labor commissioner, said in a news release.

Employees can request a written description of the quota, a copy of the most recent 90 days of personal work speed data as well as aggregate work speed data for similar employees at the same establishment during the same period. Employers must provide the information within 14 calendar days of the request.

New employees must be told quotas and expectations within 30 days of the start of employment.

“Warehouse workers suffer serious work-related injuries at a rate more than twice the average for all private industries,” New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said. “These workers routinely spend entire shifts speeding through tasks in an attempt to meet quotas mandated by their employers, all too often suffering musculoskeletal and repetitive stress injuries as a result.

“The Warehouse Worker Protection Act provides long overdue limits to protect warehouse workers from inhumane quotas, and to protect them from retaliation for asserting their rights under this law.”

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