Gap to End On-Call Scheduling

Gap Inc. is ending a controversial scheduling practice that changed workers' schedules with little notice and vowed to give workers at least 10 days notice as part of a push to improve work-life balance, the company said Wednesday.

The announcement, which follows similar pledges by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and L Brands Inc., came in a blog post Wednesday afternoon by Banana Republic President Andi Owen and was tied to Women's Equality Day.

"We know that as a company women are vital to our success," said Lauren Wilkinson, a representative for Gap, adding that women represent about 74% of the company's workforce.

Women, Ms. Owen wrote, represent 73% of the company's store managers and 64% of the company's senior officers.

Ms. Wilkinson said the San Francisco company, which operates the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic brands, started phasing out the on-call scheduling system this summer and would end it by the end of September. Also in September, company officials will start giving workers at least 10 to 14 days' notice of schedules. The new policies will be in force in stores across the U.S. by early 2016.

Ms. Wilkinson said company officials have reviewed the company's international operations and found no need for adjustments.

"Overall, we feel confident with out scheduling system in other countries," she said.

On-call scheduling allows retailers to adjust staffing levels based on real-time sales and traffic information, requiring workers to make themselves available for shifts with little notice or canceling shifts also with little notice.

Gap was one of the retailers that received warning letters from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman saying such practices may violate state law

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has said it would end on-call scheduling by the end of the year. L Brands Inc.'s Victoria's Secret has also agreed to cease the practice.

Write to Maria Armental at [e-mail]

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 26, 2015 20:55 ET (00:55 GMT)

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