The Inland Valley Chamber Legislative Alliance is asking all businesses to support AB 2127 (Benoit), which will allow employees and employers flexibility in work schedules to help accommodate employees' diverse family obligations, personal pursuits, commuting issues and environmental concerns by allowing a small business to agree to provide scheduling options requested by an employee.

This option, known as the Small Business Family Scheduling Option, would allow a small employer (25 or fewer employees) to agree to an employee's request to work an alternative work schedule.

This bill would allow employees on an individual basis to request, in writing, to work a compressed workweek.

If the employer would like to honor the request and if it fits within his business needs, he would be able to allow it.

Many employers would like to be able to offer condensed workweeks but have been unable to in the past due to California's insistence on mandating complicated overtime rules.

California stands out from the vast majority of the nation as one of four states that do not offer this option to employees.

This means that 46 states currently recognize the benefit to both employees and employers and the environment in offering a flexible 40-hour workweek.

Many city employees, including my own, have already adopted four-day workweeks.

Many collective bargaining arrangements include four-day workweeks and we would

like to see small business be able to play on the same level playing field.

Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees account for more than 65 percent of businesses in California.

If one employer were able to adopt a compressed workweek schedule, that employer could provide for 50 extra nonwork days per year for the average full-time employee.

If that employer had 10 employees that wanted to work a compressed workweek, it would lead to 500 fewer vehicles on the road.

Long commutes and horrible traffic continue to diminish the quality of life for Californians.

We encourage all small business owners to make that call or send an e-mail to their local Assembly member and local senator and tell them you would like to have choices with respect to your employees.

Let them know that you would like them to vote yes on AB 2127.

The IVCLA encourages legislation that stimulates the growth of commerce in California.

Bob Cable is president of Cable Airport in Upland, chairman-elect of the Inland Valley Chamber Legislative Alliance and immediate past chair of the Upland Chamber of Commerce.