Calls for Full-Time Work to Become a Legal Right

Writers argue unstable part-time hours have become a quiet crisis in the US

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:10am

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Labor lawyer Matt Bruenig and novelist Adelle Waldman argue in a New York Times op-ed that the rise of "just-in-time" scheduling at major employers has left over 6.7 million Americans stuck in part-time jobs with wildly unstable paychecks, making it harder to afford basic necessities. They are calling for federal law to guarantee full-time hours as a legal right.

Why it matters

Unstable part-time work has become a growing issue, with major employers relying on "just-in-time" scheduling to keep most workers part-time and only call them in when demand spikes. This results in unpredictable paychecks that make it difficult for workers to plan their lives and finances.

The details

Bruenig and Waldman, who worked in a big-box store for research, argue that the rise of part-time "just-in-time" scheduling has left over 6.7 million Americans unable to get the full-time hours they want. This results in wildly unstable paychecks that make it harder for workers to rent apartments, get car loans, or even hold down a second job.

  • The New York Times op-ed was published on March 19, 2026.

The players

Matt Bruenig

A labor lawyer who co-authored the op-ed calling for full-time work to become a legal right.

Adelle Waldman

A novelist who worked in a big-box store for research and co-authored the op-ed with Bruenig.

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The takeaway

This op-ed highlights the growing issue of unstable part-time work and the call for federal legislation to guarantee full-time hours as a legal right, in order to provide more financial stability for millions of American workers.