Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington

Re: Laid off but offered internal transfer with new hours

I am assuming there is no collective bargaining agreement or other written employment contract in place. If there is, then the provisions there would control what your husband's rights are.

To answer the question that you asked, yes, your husband can certainly ask the company to consider your child care needs when assigning a new spot or determining the new rate of pay. You cannot insist upon it, however, and the company is under no obligation to accomodate his child care scheduling requirements (or to subsidize his child care if they cannot accomodate his scheduling.)

Considering the fact that the company appears to be downsizing (since they have closed an office), the HR department might be hard pressed to find places for everyone, and your husband may want to think carefully before making requests that they are likely not in a position to honor. Unfortunately, he is in a tough spot, and his best bet might be to take the job they provide for him, go ahead and pay for the child care for now, and then find another position. It is nearly always easier to find a job when you already have one. If he does not think he could find another job that will accomodate his schedule, or that will pay him enough to cover the additional child care costs, then that is all the more reason why he cannot afford to insist on accomodation from this employer.

I'm sorry I don't have better news for you. It sounds like a tough economic spot, because I know good childcare is not cheap.