San Francisco’s Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance Just Got Friendlier

San Francisco’s Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance Just Got Friendlier

On March 14, 2022, the City of San Francisco passed amendments to the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance. The amendments take effect July 12, 2022.

As background, the Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance, enacted in 2014, gives certain employees the right to request a flexible or predictable work arrangement to assist with caregiving responsibilities, such as to care for

  • a child or children under the age of eighteen;
  • a person or persons with a serious health condition in a family relationship with the employee; or
  • a parent (age 65 or older) of the employee.

See our prior Benefit Beat article here.

The amendments to the ordinance require:

  • An employer to provide a flexible or predictable work arrangement unless it would cause the employer undue hardship.
  • An employer that does not approve a flexible or predictable work arrangement to engage in an interactive process with the employee to attempt in good faith to determine a mutually acceptable arrangement.

In addition, an employee will be able to request a flexible or predictable work arrangement to care for any family member age 65 or older, not just a parent.

Under the original ordinance, an employer had 21 days from the employee’s request to meet with the employee regarding the request and the employer was required to respond to the request within 21 days of that meeting. The amendments provide that the employer may choose to meet with the employee regarding his/her request within 14 days, but the employer must respond to the request in writing within 21 days of receiving the original request.

If the request for a flexible or predictable working arrangement is denied, the employer must explain the denial in a written response that sets out the basis for the denial and informs the employee of the right to request reconsideration.

Additional information including FAQs can be found on the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement website.


The information contained in this Benefit Beat is not intended to be legal, accounting, or other professional advice, nor are these comments directed to specific situations. This information is provided as general guidance and may be affected by changes in law or regulation. This information is not intended to replace or substitute for accounting or other professional advice. You must consult your own attorney or tax advisor for assistance in specific situations. This information is provided as-is, with no warranties of any kind. CBIZ shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever in connection with its use and assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.

San Francisco’s Family Friendly Workplace Ordinance Just Got Friendlierhttps://www.cbiz.com/Portals/0/Images/SF Family Friendly Workplace.jpg?ver=0O4CDRirdYBXkC_o710d7g%3d%3dLaw allows for flexible or predictable work arrangements to care for a child, parent, or other family member (expanded definition). 2022-04-03T19:00:00-05:00Law allows for flexible or predictable work arrangements tocare for a child, parent, or other family member (expanded definition).Regulatory, Compliance, & LegislativeEmployee Benefits ComplianceNo