Ann Arbor City Council passes “right to sit” ordinance

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – The Ann Arbor City Council unanimously approved a proposed “seating right” ordinance at its regular meeting on Monday.

The move was the first approval of a law that requires employers to allow their employees to sit during their shifts, as long as this does not conflict with their regular duties.

Councilor Ayesha Ghazi Edwin was the first to introduce the proposal.

“It was supported by all council members, by restaurant staff, servers and local unions,” she said. “I’ve also spent some time over the last few weeks talking to various business associations, so I really hope we all start 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 regulation means to me is accessibility, it means reasonable accommodations, it means greater overall profitability for companies that incorporate reasonable accommodations, it means greater morale for long-time employees to know they are supported,” Damon said.

Damon has cerebral palsy, which causes his legs to become cramped.

He uses mobility aids and said that years ago, while working as a greeter at a local grocery store, he was told he could not lean on items to ease his discomfort.

“I remember the specific staff saying, ‘Hey, you can’t do that. You can’t lean on the magazine rack,'” Damon said. “And I’d say, ‘Well, okay, why not? Do you mind giving me a reason?’ and they said, ‘Well, it looks unprofessional.'”

He said they gave him a stool to sit on, but it was too high for him. He ended up working his long shifts standing.

The new “right to sit” law will be complaint-based.

Employees can file complaints online with the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission, which will determine whether action should be taken.

City officials say the commission will generally act as a mediator between workers and their employers.

The law will be officially voted on at the council’s next meeting, following a public hearing on October 21.