Employee Benefits- Paid Vacation Bill
Recently legislation was introduced that would require US employers to provide a minimum of 1 week paid vacation to their employees. If passed, the bill would require most US companies with more than 100 employees to give a week of paid vacation to both full and part time workers who've been with the company for a year. Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide 2 weeks paid vacation and companies with 50 or more would have to provide 1 week. The theory behind the bill is to increase worker productivity through fewer sick days and happier employees and to help rejuvenate the American economy by sparking the tourism industry.
I think we can all agree that both employers and employees want a workplace that is fair, balanced and flexible. A solid benefits program also makes it easier to attract and retain good employees. With so many Americans out of work and our economy in turmoil is this really the best time to propose this legislation? Shouldn't government be focusing on issues such as health care benefits and high unemployment? Is a one-size fits all government imposed mandate the answer?
With so many small businesses struggling to stay open, adding a mandatory paid vacation to already overburdened budgets could be detrimental. Aren't employers, not the government in the best position to know the benefit preferences of their employees? In my opinion employers should be encouraged to provide the paid leave their workforces need and let their employees decide how best to use it.