(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Many individuals in our society possess great productive potential which goes unused because they cannot meet the requirements of a standard workweek.
(2) An increasing proportion of workers have family responsibilities which include the care of dependent elders and the rearing of children.
(3) There is a lack of adequate, affordable adult or child care to accommodate the growing need for such services.
(4) The state is benefited by exploring and encouraging cost-saving supplements to latchkey programs, out-of-home child care services, and adult dependent care.
(5) Disabled employees or persons with special health needs may benefit from voluntary reduced worktime.
(6) Voluntary reduced worktime benefits both employers and employees, by increasing flexibility and decreasing absenteeism, offering management more flexibility in meeting work requirements, and filling shortages in various occupations.
(7) Society is benefited by offering a needed alternative for those individuals who require or prefer shorter hours, despite the reduced income, thus increasing jobs available to reduce unemployment while retaining the skills of individuals who have training and experience.
(8) Employment opportunities are maximized by providing for voluntary reduced worktime options to a standard workweek.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in adopting this section to pursue all of the following objectives:
(1) To provide for maximum employment opportunities.
(2) To encourage the realization of individual potential.
(3) To increase the numbers and kinds of public and private sector voluntary reduced worktime options.
(4) To support the creation of a healthy balance between work and family needs, including the need for additional income.
(5) To encourage voluntary reduced worktime opportunities within the private as well as public sector.
(6) To develop policies and procedures which support the growth of voluntary reduced worktime positions.
(7) To promote job stability.
(8) To strengthen the family and promote domestic tranquility and to benefit the family and society by promoting a balance between work and home.
(9) To provide for alternative solutions to the growing need for adequate child care, care for dependent adults, and care for the disabled.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as superseding Sections 19996.20 and 19996.21 which provide that the reduced worktime option shall be made available only to the extent feasible and as the department finds consistent with maximum employment opportunity.
(Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 256, Sec. 1.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018