Jobs, Taxes & Benefits

WomenMatter will continuously post updates on all this and other issues as we monitor the continuing philosophical and practical debates nationwide. Please check back often for updates. Past updates are available for reference on the Jobs, Taxes & Benefits Archives page.

Time Off Instead of Time Paid

Would you rather have money or time?

Republicans say that workers should choose how they are compensated for overtime, so they introduced a bill that amends current labor law. HR1119 allows employers to give workers the choice between overtime pay and compensation time. Of course, this greatly benefits business owners, who can drastically cut spending if they no longer have to pay overtime.

The House of Representatives was expected to vote on this bill yesterday, Thursday, June 5, 2003, but Republicans suddenly pulled it from the schedule in response to pressure from labor unions.

Companies Don’t Want to Pay Overtime

The unions, and others who oppose the bill say that it could result in more hours and less pay for workers. Many fear that employers who are trying to cut costs will pressure workers to take compensation time instead of extra pay. Many families rely on overtime pay to make ends meet.

Although the bill makes it illegal to coerce workers to take time instead of money, it is likely that low-wage laborers who fear losing their jobs will comply with employers’ suggestions that they take comp time instead of money.

Like overtime pay, the compensation time would be time and a half of the overtime worked, but employees would not necessarily be able to choose when to take time off. Opponents to the bill point to this fact as one of the bill’s major flaws. They say it will not provide workers with increased flexibility, as the bill’s supporters claim, because employers can prevent workers from taking vacation time during peak hours.

Will Working Moms Benefit?

Those in favor of the bill say that it will benefit working mothers in particular. They say it will result in more flexible schedules that will help working moms balance work and family.

HR1119 Resting for Now

Although Republicans were all revved up to pass this legislation through this week, labor union leaders made it clear that doing so would create problems for the Bush administration. There is already tension between the Bush administration and unions, and this bill was making it worse.

Republicans responded to union leaders’ threats. The bill is off of the table for now, but it is likely to reappear in the future.

Article Posted on: 6/14/2003

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