[belcherboy]

I know this probably wouldn't affect many on this board, I'd think a lot of us (who aren't students) have some sort of paid vacation each year (I'll post a poll to see if I am wrong). Do you think this is a good idea? I think vacations are important, but is it a good time to force businesses into added expenses?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22794.html

Alan Grayson to introduce Paid Vacation Act

Rep. Alan Grayson was standing in the middle of Disney World when it hit him: What Americans really need is a week of paid vacation.

So on Thursday, the Florida Democrat will introduce the Paid Vacation Act — legislation that would be the first to make paid vacation time a requirement under federal law.

The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job. Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide two weeks of paid vacation, and companies with 50 or more employees would have to provide one week.

The idea: More vacation will stimulate the economy through fewer sick days, better productivity and happier employees.

“There’s a reason why Disney World is the happiest place on Earth: The people who go there are on vacation,” said Grayson, a freshman who counts Orlando as part of his home district. “Honestly, as much as I appreciate this job and as much as I enjoy it, the best days of my life are and always have been the days I’m on vacation.”

According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 28 million Americans — or about a quarter of the work force — don’t get any paid vacation. The center says that a lack of vacation causes stress and workplace burnout and that those evil twins cost the economy more than $300 billion each year.

One more if-you’re-reading-this-then-you’re-probably-not-on-vacation fact: The United States is dead last among 21 industrial countries when it comes to mandatory R&R.

France currently requires employers to provide 30 days of paid leave.

Not surprisingly, some in the travel industry are salivating over Grayson’s bill; Grayson spokesman Todd Jurkowski said the U.S. Tour Operators Association and the Adventure Travel Trade Association are both on board. Other tourism and labor groups are expected to sign on in the coming days.
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The U.S. Travel Association has not yet endorsed the measure, but Senior Vice President Geoff Freeman says Congress does need to consider new ways to stimulate the vacation industry and travel economy.

So far, no group has come out in opposition of the bill. Nor has anyone announced opposition to roller coaster rides, cookouts on the beach or salt-water taffy on the boardwalk.



But with many Americans out of work and an economy in shambles, some say this may not be the best time to propose more time away from the office, especially on the boss’s dime.

The Society for Human Resource Management issued a statement Wednesday warning that “a one-size-fits-all, government-imposed mandate is not the answer.”

Because of the 50- and 100-employee thresholds, most small businesses wouldn’t be directly affected by the bill immediately. But the National Small Business Association warned of indirect consequences; companies might artificially hold their hiring at the 50-to-100-employee level to avoid the costs of paid vacation time.

The bill also could have a negative impact on manufacturers already bracing for higher costs that could be associated with the climate-change legislation working its way through the House.

One place where the bill wouldn’t have much of an effect: Capitol Hill.

Congressional staffers already get paid vacation, even if they don’t actually have time to take it. And members can take time off during recesses — as they will next week — albeit not as much as they once did.

While members once had much of the summer off, Congress will be in session this year virtually all of June and July. That leaves August, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says that’s not really enough time to unwind.

“I’m off in the state for a full month catching up on all the things I’ve missed throughout the year, but you don’t have time for yourself,” she said. “You don’t have much time for your family. And after a while, you do start to get just tired.”

Grayson’s bill is part of a larger move by Democrats to improve employee and workplace standards. Earlier this month, Democrats introduced a bill that would make employers give mandatory sick time.

“The committee is looking at a number of proposals to help workers balance family responsibilities and work duties,” said House Education and Labor Committee spokesman Aaron Albright. “The fact is the United States is behind the rest of the world in ensuring that workplaces have paid leave policies. These policies not only benefit workers but also help the employers’ bottom line because of lower turnover and better job satisfaction.”

But in the workaholic world of Washington, not everyone is so impressed with the restorative — or stimulative — powers of time unplugged.

Asked Tuesday what he’d do with an extra week of paid vacation, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said: “I’d keep the cash and spend the week working on the farm, with my BlackBerry and office files.

[TDDance234]

I get two weeks of paid vacation and two weeks of camps/conferences and continued education. On top of that, I have 6 sick days per year.

If they want to save money and make people happier, go to a four-day work week.

[LUconn]

ha, I just read this article. It's an interesting idea because it's exactly what an employer would do to get or retain good workers and have the benefits listed for the good of his company. However it's the government mandating it for the good of the country. I'm generally against government so I'm against this but I think it might have the affect he's looking for. Also it's crazy that he thinks part timers should get this.

[blwall1416]

I concur....a 4 day work week would do wonders for employees.

[belcherboy]

I get two weeks of paid vacation and two weeks of camps/conferences and continued education. On top of that, I have 6 sick days per year.

If they want to save money and make people happier, go to a four-day work week.

I don't think that would work too well with a lot of the companies this law would affect the most (I'm thinking retail).

[LUconn]

Also, I forgot to mention I get 2 weeks of vacation and very few holidays off. When I was at Genworth I got 4 weeks of paid vacation/sick/whatever days. It was pretty much amazing and is the thing I miss most. I think I will miss that the rest of my working life.

[TDDance234]

If this was government mandated, retail shops would find a way around it. Most of them would probably hire on part time employees only, which would eliminate a number of people with benefits.

A week of paid vacation or health care?

[belcherboy]

If this was government mandated, retail shops would find a way around it. Most of them would probably hire on part time employees only, which would eliminate a number of people with benefits.

A week of paid vacation or health care?

From the article:

The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job.

[RubberMallet]

if you dont' get vacation time at your job its time to find a new job.

how ours works

1 yr: 0 days
2-4 yr: 12 days
5-9 yr: 18 days
10- : 24

and we can accumulate days as long as we take at least 5 days off in a row during the year.

being in sales, i'm not really on a clock so to speak so i can take a day off here or there without it going against my official days.

i negotiated 18 days after my 4th year as long as i got to a certain level in sales my 4th. i have a handful of days to fool around with, 6 to go fishing up in minnesota and the rest i just use up at christmas.

we also get bonuspto days. we have certain times of year where it gets slow and they encourage you to use vacation time then.

in the summer we get 5 days off but only use 4 of our vac days. and for like 2 weeks during christmas days off are worth a half day of your vacation days. so i can take 10 days off and only use 5 of my vacation days.

[TDDance234]

If this was government mandated, retail shops would find a way around it. Most of them would probably hire on part time employees only, which would eliminate a number of people with benefits.

A week of paid vacation or health care?

From the article:

The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job.

Well, that gives way to my theory. Guess I should have read the whole thing.

[belcherboy]

If this was government mandated, retail shops would find a way around it. Most of them would probably hire on part time employees only, which would eliminate a number of people with benefits.

A week of paid vacation or health care?

From the article:

The bill would require companies with more than 100 employees to offer a week of paid vacation for both full-time and part-time employees after they’ve put in a year on the job.

Well, that gives way to my theory. Guess I should have read the whole thing.

This smells of another shot at stores like Walmart. It would really hurt them and grocery stores that carry a lot of part time employees, especially with this part:

Three years after the effective date of the law, those same companies would be required to provide two weeks of paid vacation

[Rocketfan]

Also, I forgot to mention I get 2 weeks of vacation and very few holidays off. When I was at Genworth I got 4 weeks of paid vacation/sick/whatever days. It was pretty much amazing and is the thing I miss most. I think I will miss that the rest of my working life.

I just hit 5 years this year....i jumped to 5 weeks.

[adam42381]

I get 4 weeks of vacation/sick/personal days and 10 paid holidays. Same thing as when I worked at the bank. And those were accrued from day one.

[ALUmnus]

When I used to work at Lynchburg General Hospital, they get vacation days and personal/sick days, but also, the more hours you work, the more personal/sick days you accumulate. And to top that off, when you get up to a certain amount of sick days, you can cash them in.

When our department was short-staffed, we had this one guy who would work a double-shift for months at a time. Not only was he making overtime wages, but he was accumulating mass amounts of sick days that he would eventually cash in. Hey, if you're single, that's the way to do it.

[ATrain]

Why doesn't the government just go ahead and take control of every business in America?

[scuzdriver]

Being a fireman, I feel like I'm always on vacation! Even at work.

[flamesbball84]

would this include grad assistants?

[Rooster Cogburn]

I picked other cause it's none of ur business.
No really I get more than 2 weeks, but I'm really old.

[01LUGrad]

Teacher.

2 weeks at Christmas
1 week for spring break
All major holidays
10 sick days per year (roll over year-to-year)
3 personal business days
Oh, and even though it isn't paid, I get that summer thing off too. (14 days to go!)

[ATrain]

would this include grad assistants?

Somehow, I don't think so...but thats not my problem anymore

[ATrain]

Teacher.

2 weeks at Christmas
1 week for spring break
All major holidays
10 sick days per year (roll over year-to-year)
3 personal business days
Oh, and even though it isn't paid, I get that summer thing off too. (14 days to go!)

And thats why I don't feel any sympathy when y'all complain about being underpaid.

[phoenix]

Teacher.

2 weeks at Christmas
1 week for spring break
All major holidays
10 sick days per year (roll over year-to-year)
3 personal business days
Oh, and even though it isn't paid, I get that summer thing off too. (14 days to go!)

See, when I taught, we were able to set our pay up so we still got a check during the summer. I got less per week than others at my same level, but I got paid all year long. Of course, I ended up spending a big chunk of my vacation at conferences, taking continuing ed classes, or something like that. AND you left out snow days Of course, add in teacher in-service days and that takes the fun out of a lot of the time off.

I'm actually considered part time right now by four different companies (it's the nature of merchandising, and it works out a lot better than it sounds); under this bill, which one would have to give me my vacation time? All four?! I get no paid vacation as it is, so this would be an interesting change for me. On the one hand, I'd love to have the vacation time; on the other hand, when I'm off, things aren't getting done, and part of the reason I get as much work as I do is because nobody else in the area does it, so I've got no substitute. I'd need two weeks to recover from my vacation.

[whmatthews]

Teacher.

2 weeks at Christmas
1 week for spring break
All major holidays
10 sick days per year (roll over year-to-year)
3 personal business days
Oh, and even though it isn't paid, I get that summer thing off too. (14 days to go!)

And thats why I don't feel any sympathy when y'all complain about being underpaid.

I remember my teachers in school complaining about their pay, but I never saw one with a crappy house or a crappy car.

[blwall1416]

Please, my wife teaches 6th grade science & math, plus she is the lead math teacher for the school. She gets up at 5:30 every morning....gets home around 6:30 at night....eats rather quickly.....then its grading & lesson plans until about 9:00 when its time for her to go to bed. There are also PT conferences, science fairs, after-school remediation, etc....that take up quite a bit of her time. Its actually MORE work for her to take a day off during the year.

PS. we have both a crappy house & a crappy car.

Underpaid? **** straight.

[Rocketfan]

Please, my wife teaches 6th grade science & math, plus she is the lead math teacher for the school. She gets up at 5:30 every morning....gets home around 6:30 at night....eats rather quickly.....then its grading & lesson plans until about 9:00 when its time for her to go to bed. There are also PT conferences, science fairs, after-school remediation, etc....that take up quite a bit of her time. Its actually MORE work for her to take a day off during the year.

PS. we have both a crappy house & a crappy car.

Underpaid? **** straight.

By that logic thought ( while i don't disagree teachers are underpaid) someone could say " so what " basically because your 13-14 hour days result in 3 months off.