Fair Workweek Law: Information for Fast Food Employers

DCWP enforces NYC’s Fair Workweek Law. The law covers workers regardless of immigration status. Employers cannot punish, penalize, retaliate, or take any action against employees that might stop or deter them from exercising their rights under the law.

Jump to section:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• NYC Fast Food Workers' Rights
• Employer Trainings
• Employer Tools
• Law and Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

NYC Fast Food Workers' Rights

Under the Fair Workweek Law, fast food employers in NYC:

• Must give workers regular schedules that stay the same week-to-week
• Must give workers work schedules 14 days in advance of the start of the schedule
• Must pay premiums for schedule changes or clopenings
• Must give workers a chance to say no to extra work or to clopenings
• Must give current workers the opportunity to work more regular hours before hiring new employees
• Cannot fire or reduce the hours of a worker by more than 15% without just cause or a legitimate business reason
• Must reinstate laid off employees by seniority when hours become available

Fast food employers must post the notice, NYC FAST FOOD WORKERS’ RIGHTS, where employees can easily see it at each NYC workplace. Note: Employers must also post the notice in any language that is the primary language of at least 5 percent of the workers at the workplace if available below. Download a copy (updated June 2023) in:

• English
• Español (Spanish)
• عربي (Arabic)
• বাংলা (Bengali)
• 中文 - 简化字 (Chinese - Simplified)
• 中文 - 繁體字 (Chinese - Traditional)
• Français (French)
• Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole)
• हिन्दी (Hindi)
• 한국어 (Korean)
• Język Polski (Polish)
• Português (Portuguese)
• ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ (Punjabi)
• Русский (Russian)
• Tagalog (Tagalog)
• ردو (Urdu)

Employer Trainings

DCWP conducted a series of educational walks and roundtables to educate workers and employers about the protections of NYC's Fair Workweek Law. Interested in scheduling a training for your organization? Email us at OLPS@dcwp.nyc.gov.

On October 30, 2023, DCWP held a free webinar to give a presentation on NYC's Fair Workweek Law, including:

• Fast food employer responsibilities and worker rights
• Available resources for employers
• Q&A

Employer Tools

DCWP created the tools below to help employers comply with the Fair Workweek Law.

Download Template Termination and Hours Reduction Notices for Fast Food Employers in Word format:

• Notice of Layoff for Economic Reasons
• Notice of Termination for Just Cause
• Notice of Hours Reduction for Economic Reasons
• Notice of Hours Reduction for Just Cause