ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – The Ann Arbor City Council unanimously approved a proposed “right to sit” ordinance at its regular meeting on Monday.
The move was an initial approval of a law that would require employers to allow their employees to sit down during their shifts, as long as it doesn’t conflict with their regular duties.
Council member Ayesha Ghazi Edwin first introduced the proposal.
“It was supported by all council members, by restaurant workers, servers, local labor unions,” she said. “I also spent some time over the last few weeks talking to various business associations, so I’m really hoping that we’re all going to improve working conditions for all workers in Ann Arbor.”
Zach Damon, the chairman of Ann Arbor’s Commission on Disability Issues, said the ordinance is long overdue.
“What this ordinance means to me is accessibility, it means reasonable accommodation, it means more overall profitability for businesses who incorporate reasonable accommodation, it means increased morale for longtime employees to know that they’re supported,” said Damon.