Jobs Don't Pay Enough
Collective bargaining leads to a greater number of workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement, resulting in pay raises for more workers and pay based on measurable standards. Negotiations at industry or regional levels also provide more opportunities to address leave policies and other factors contributing to pay gaps.
Living wage laws
What are living wage laws?
Living wage laws are regulations that determine the minimum amount that workers can legally be paid by companies. The current federal standard in the United States is $7.25 per hour, although some states and cities have implemented local laws with higher minimum wages, and some cities have set mandates requiring a pay rate of $15 per hour.
Do living wage workers lose their jobs?
Empirical studies in Baltimore and Boston found no evidence of diminished employment for living wage workers. In Los Angeles, surveys indicated that job losses only affected 1% of workers who received a raise due to local living wages. Therefore, there is no evidence that living wage workers lose their jobs.
Is a living wage a just income for all Americans?
A living wage is seen more as an aspiration than a guaranteed income for all Americans. Although minimum wage is a topic of discussion, living wage is often overlooked.
Is the minimum wage livable?
Congress could have increased the minimum wage in line with productivity growth, which would have resulted in a livable wage today of around $24 an hour.
Raise the minimum wage
Should we raise the minimum wage?
According to Ken Jacobs, raising the minimum wage is a practical solution to enhance the earnings of low-wage workers, prevent poor families and children from poverty, and promote economic growth. Moreover, Jacobs noted that a minimum wage hike is well-liked among voters, despite assumptions that it may lead to job loss. Economists suggest that increasing the minimum wage to $15 may not cause a reduction in jobs. Based on the information presented in the text, it appears that raising the minimum wage would be a worthwhile consideration.
How many people earn below the minimum wage?
According to a Forbes report, in 2019, around 1.2 million workers earned below the minimum wage, with the majority being in the hospitality industry and relying on tips to make up for the shortfall.
Does the minimum wage affect hiring decisions?
According to a study conducted by UC Berkeley economists and alumni, an increase in the minimum wage does not significantly impact employers' hiring decisions. In fact, the research suggests that a higher minimum wage can benefit not only workers, but also their employers, communities, and the economy as a whole. The study refutes the notion that a $15 minimum wage would lead to job losses.
What if the minimum wage had kept up with inflation?
According to the data source, if the minimum wage had kept up with inflation since 1968, it would have reached at least $10.45 in 2019. However, despite numerous adjustments, the minimum wage has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living and inflation since its implementation in 1938. The purchasing power of minimum wage has steadily declined since its peak in 1968.
Tax credits for companies that pay better than industry standards
Is there a small business health care tax credit?
A tax credit exists for small employers through the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. This credit applies to employers with 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees who pay average wages of less than $50,000 per year per full-time equivalent.
How much is a tax credit for an employee?
The tax credit for an employee can be claimed with Form 5884 and it amounts to 40% of the first $6,000 of the employee's first-year wages, resulting in a tax credit of $2,400. The size of the tax credit is dependent on the employee's category and the number of hours worked during the tax year.
How do tax credits work?
Tax credits work by reducing your tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. If your small business owes taxes, a tax credit allows you to subtract a certain amount from your tax bill, such as a $5,000 tax credit for a $20,000 tax bill. This is different from a tax deduction, which only reduces the amount of your taxable income.
It is important to note that the US tax system is progressive, meaning the tax rate increases as income increases. NerdWallet provides a complete guide to small-business tax credits.
How much can you save with a small business tax credit?
A small business may save up to $20,000 over two years by contributing $50,000 annually towards their employees' health care premiums and qualifying for a $10,000 yearly credit. The credit can be carried forward or backward to other tax years, regardless of whether the business owes tax during that specific year.
Equal pay for equal work
What is equal pay in the workplace?
Equal pay means that employees should receive fair compensation for their work without discrimination based on gender. According to Federal law, both men and women have the right to receive equal pay for equal work in the same workplace. Employers have the responsibility to ensure that all employees are compensated fairly.
Are all jobs created equal?
The article discusses how equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender, is desirable, but there are notable pay differences between men and women across various occupations. The article provides a snapshot from Glassdoor on 10 jobs where these differences are most notable, suggesting that not all jobs are created equal when it comes to pay.
Can employers pay unequal wages to men and women?
No, the EPA states that employers cannot pay unequal wages to men and women if the jobs require substantially equal skill, effort and responsibility, and are performed under similar working conditions within the same establishment.
Increase job training and education opportunities
Does Higher Education Still Prepare People for Jobs?
There is no direct answer to the question of whether higher education prepares people for jobs in the given textpromt. However, it is mentioned that companies are spending significant amounts of money on employee training, suggesting that higher education may not fully prepare individuals for their roles in the workforce. The importance of hiring curious individuals to maximize the return on investment for these training programs is also emphasized. The tone used is formal and expertise without negative or biased statements, punctuation is consistently used, conjunction words are avoided, possessive adjectives are not utilized, and no writing rules are explicitly mentioned.
How can we increase job opportunities for low-wage workers?
To increase career opportunities for low-wage workers and jobseekers while also expanding the pool of individuals who possess the skills that employers desire, partnerships with businesses and other entities must be established. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's efforts in work, education, and income aim to achieve this goal.
What are some high-paying jobs that don't require a degree?
Air traffic controller is a high-paying job that doesn't require formal education or certification. Depending on location, one can quickly earn well above $100,000 without a degree. However, the field is competitive and previous work experience is highly desirable.
Does college education give you the skills to get a job?
According to a Cengage survey of recent college graduates, almost one in five reported that their college education did not equip them with the necessary skills for their first post-degree job, suggesting that the U.S. Education System may not be providing students with the skill set needed by employers.
Enforce overtime regulations
What are overtime laws?
Overtime laws mandate that employers must pay their employees a higher wage rate for hours worked above a specified threshold, typically set at forty hours per workweek by most state and federal laws regarding overtime pay.
Who pays overtime under the FLSA?
Under the FLSA, employers are responsible for paying overtime at a rate of "time and a half" when employees work over 40 hours a week, regardless of their hourly wage. An employer is also required to pay whichever minimum (federal, state, or local) wage is highest. These guidelines ensure fair compensation for workers and prevent wage and hour violations.
Do you have to pay overtime in your state?
Employers must comply with state laws on overtime pay in Alaska, California, and Nevada, where overtime premiums are mandatory for any hours worked beyond eight in a day. Additionally, California workers must receive double pay after working for 12 hours in a day.
Do employers have to pay daily overtime premiums?
Employers doing business in certain states have to pay daily overtime premiums when nonexempt employees work beyond a specific limit, which exceeds the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Compliance with state laws is mandatory for such employers.
Improve workplace safety conditions
What are the benefits of safety in the workplace?
Improving safety in the workplace has numerous benefits for both workers and employers, including reducing workers' compensation cases. Establishing a safety program will ensure the well-being of employees, and sticking to it will result in other business benefits.
How do I make sure my workplace is safe?
To ensure safety in the workplace, perform regular inspections to identify hazards and ensure employees follow safety policies. Create records of violations or concerns to modify the safety and wellness plan.
What happens if a worker is unsafe in the workplace?
Workers who encounter unsafe conditions in the workplace can take several steps to address the issue. They can report violations to their employer, as well as to federal or state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) agencies. Additionally, in certain circumstances, workers may even have the right to refuse to work due to dangerous conditions. FindLaw provides guidance on how workers can protect themselves from workplace hazards.
Reduce workplace discrimination
What is workplace discrimination?
Workplace discrimination refers to employers showing a preference for White employees over Black employees, which has had severe and long-lasting impacts on generations of Black Americans. While there are known solutions, implementing them requires social will.
Why are lower-paid wage workers treated like ingrates?
Lower-paid wage workers are often treated like ingrates when they speak out against their meager wages, unsafe working conditions that expose them to Covid, and workplace mistreatment such as harassment and disrespect. This is despite the fact that the Covid pandemic has highlighted and made worse the inequality that already exists in our country.
What is pay discrimination?
Pay or compensation discrimination is the unequal payment of employees who perform the same job. This could be based on factors such as race or sex, making the difference in pay unlawful. Essentially, pay discrimination happens when those who do similar work do not receive comparable pay.
Increase access to benefits and pensions
Do most jobs offer pensions?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, only 17 percent of private industry employees were offered a traditional pension plan in 2018, indicating that most jobs no longer offer pensions. However, there are still a few jobs and industries that continue to provide workers with steady pension payments in retirement, as reported by US News & World Report.
What happens to pensions when a company goes under?
When a company goes under, pensions are insured by the government through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, but employees and former employees usually don't receive everything they were promised. Companies may offer additional benefits to persuade older employees to remain in their plan.
Should you leave a job with a defined benefit pension?
When considering leaving a job with a defined benefit pension, it is important to keep in mind that people nowadays change jobs more frequently than in the past, and the types of benefits employers provide have changed. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide what to do with the pension they have accumulated if a better offer comes along before retirement.
Who has access to pension benefits?
Government and union employees, specifically primary, secondary, and special education teachers who work in schools, are especially likely to have access to traditional pension plans for retirement. According to BLS data, 85% of these teachers have access to this benefit.
Strengthen collective bargaining rights
What are the benefits of collective bargaining?
Collective bargaining leads to a greater number of workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement, resulting in pay raises for more workers and pay based on measurable standards. Negotiations at industry or regional levels also provide more opportunities to address leave policies and other factors contributing to pay gaps.
Who has the right to engage in collective bargaining?
Approximately 75% of private-sector workers and 67% of government employees have the right to engage in collective bargaining, as stated by the AFL-CIO. The process of collective bargaining varies among unions, but generally starts with identifying the need for negotiation.
Should teachers have collective bargaining rights?
Many states do not have comprehensive collective bargaining laws for public-service workers like teachers. However, it is important that these workers have the right to join together in unions to negotiate for better safety and health protections, pay, and working conditions. Unions can be especially beneficial during times of crises.
Should employers be required to recognize and bargain with unions?
In an expert and formal tone, the article argues that employers should be required to recognize and bargain with a union if a majority of workers express their support for it. The author believes that workers, rather than the employers, should have the ultimate decision on whether a formal election is necessary. The article promotes the benefits of unions for workers, particularly during times of crisis.
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