This fall: Congress to tackle key workplace issues
Health care, climate change and workplace law are some of the hottest national topics as Congress uses its August recess to talk with local constituents. President Obama has given federal lawmakers an aggressive agenda, and the biggest issues could affect Connecticut businesses. More
State issues to come back
Despite the loss of more than 65,000 jobs in Connecticut over the last year due to the recession, the business community had to overcome several workplace-related proposals that would have made it harder for employers to provide good jobs. Major proposals such as a paid sick leave mandate and a measure to significantly limit workplace communications between employers and their employees went far in the session before ultimately they were defeated.
Mandating Paid Sick leave: Not everybody benefits
This year, House Bill 6187 (defeated) would have required businesses to
offer paid sick leave to their employees -- regardless of the economy, the company's personnel practices, financial health or the demands of the business. A one-size-fits-all policy doesn't make sense and will force many employers to cut back in other areas -- such as in wages or other benefits.
Use the search tool at left to find and tell your state legislators to reject mandatory paid sick leave
'Captive audience': Muzzling communications
SB-365 (defeated) would have stopped employers from talking with their employees about their retirement plans, health benefits, wages, union organizing campaigns and even community service projects -- all defined as prohibited, "political topics" in the bill. Employees would be denied a good, reliable source of information about things that will directly affect them, their families and their communities.
Use the search tool at left to find and tell your state legislators to reject mandatory paid sick leave
Card-check: Not free choice for employees
"Card check" proposals are part of a national movement by labor unions to make it easier for them to organize in the workplace. The current, federally protected secret ballot process for labor union elections would be eliminated. There are two card check drives -- one in Congress and one in the state legislature (HB-6534; defeated ). Both would be very harmful to employees, employers and our economy.
