Socialism At Its Best

[srk1959]

Well as we continue our full speed ahead slide to socialism the city of Milwaukee wants to be at the fore front! They had has referendum on the ballots were city residents could vote on making mandatory paid sick days required for any business located in the city of Milwaukee.

 

The rest of the country better get ready because now it will be coming to you Federally mandated! Now that the city government can tell me what I HAVE to pay it won't be long before more HAVE to items come our way (small business). Letting citizens vote on requiring all businesses to HAVE to pay benefits for certain things will just eliminate us (small business). It has already caused some amount of hard feeling here this am. One of my good tech's voted for it and I told him that it was not a good thing.

 

He got upset and said well it only means you will HAVE to pay an extra 40 hrs of pay per year! You can write it off! I said wow thats just great we are barely making it as it stands and now I can payout extra $1000's and give everyone even more time off so I an short handed....what a deal!

 

I am posting the article below, I fear that my time is running out. 18 years in business and the future is very dim. I have cut back every thing I can except for my employee's which have gotten a $1.00 per hour raise every year the last 4 years and holiday bonuses and extra time off.

 

This only means I will have to cut back on those benefits which will make my business less desirable to work at and cause conflict.......S#@T....I am very tired!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid sick leave referendum wins big

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce considers legal challenge

By GEORGIA PABST of the Journal Sentinel

 

 

City of Milwaukee residents overwhelmingly approved a binding referendum Tuesday that calls for private employers in the city to provide paid sick leave for all their workers, a measure strongly opposed by business leaders and Mayor Tom Barrett. The final vote tally showed 69% voted for the referendum with 31% against.

Milwaukee now becomes only the third city in the country to require private employers to provide paid sick days. San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have approved similar measures.

 

The referendum went on the ballot after a coalition of union and community groups led by 9to5, the National Association of Working Women, collected more than 40,000 signatures.

 

Amy Stear, state director of 9to5, said Tuesday night that she was surprised by the margin of victory.

 

"We knew this was an issue that resonated with people in the city who understand it's so important for families to have the ability to work and care for their families," she said. "We believe business will find this will be good for them too because the costs of retraining and rehiring will be offset."

 

Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said a legal challenge will certainly be considered. He called the passage of the referendum "a foregone conclusion because of the way it was written."

 

Ninety-nine percent of employers believe it's a step in the wrong direction, he said. "It will be a barrier to marketing Milwaukee as a place to create jobs."

 

In a written statement, Barrett said he respects the voter' choice. "While I believe in the spirit of the proposal, it is at the federal level where I believe this issue needs to be addressed," he said. The ordinance will put the city at a competitive disadvantage, he said.

 

Supporters of the referendum relied on a seldom-used direct legislation law to bring the measure to a vote. When enough signatures were gathered, the Common Council had the choice of passing it or putting it on the ballot.

 

The referendum must now be published in the newspaper within 10 days. It must be implemented within 90 days of publication. The mayor cannot veto the action and the Common Council cannot amend or repeal the measure for two years, except by another referendum.

 

Under the measure, a full-time worker would earn a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, or nine days a year. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees would be required to provide five days a year of paid sick time to full-time employees.

 

The paid leave could be taken for illness or medical care for the employee or the employee's child, parent or other relative. The time could also be used to attend to medical and legal issues resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

 

Proponents waged a grass-roots, door-to-door campaign, distributing more than 200,000 pieces of literature that said no workers should have to lose a job because they are sick or have to care for a sick child.

 

Sheehy said that the MMAC decided against a counter-campaign to persuade voters to vote "no" because the issue did very well in polls.

[RStangsOC]

Now THAT really sucks. I am hoping to start my own business within the next few months, and the LAST thing I want is to be told what kind of benefits I must provide for my employees. I wont have employees for probably a year or better - but still - its not right.

 

I used to work for a very large health care provider in the U.S. - and if you DIDNT use your sick days there, they would pay you back for what you hadnt used at the begining of the the year. Maybe offer something to your employees where if they dont use their sick time, you pay it to them as a bonus (at 50% or something) at the begining of your new business year.

 

Not a good sign when government starts to tell employers what they HAVE to provide for employees.

[srk1959]

Now THAT really sucks. I am hoping to start my own business within the next few months, and the LAST thing I want is to be told what kind of benefits I must provide for my employees. I wont have employees for probably a year or better - but still - its not right.

 

I used to work for a very large health care provider in the U.S. - and if you DIDNT use your sick days there, they would pay you back for what you hadnt used at the begining of the the year. Maybe offer something to your employees where if they dont use their sick time, you pay it to them as a bonus (at 50% or something) at the begining of your new business year.

 

Not a good sign when government starts to tell employers what they HAVE to provide for employees.

 

 

+ 1000

 

It is not that I don't think that employee's don't deserve fair treatment and pay, its the government telling me how I HAVE to do it. I am depressed because I see this as the way things will be shaping up in the future and expect more mandates coming my way from local,state,and federal governments.

[David Hawkins]

If I ever get my company to where I can start building Custom 65-66 Mustangs, I will be hiring people as Sub-Contractors who are paid to do a specific Job instead of Paid by the hour. I have talked to several Body Shop Owners and they said that is a great idea and are now thinking of doing that as well.

 

David.

[JeffIsHereToo]

+ 1000

 

It is not that I don't think that employee's don't deserve fair treatment and pay, its the government telling me how I HAVE to do it. I am depressed because I see this as the way things will be shaping up in the future and expect more mandates coming my way from local,state,and federal governments.

 

First of all, this is not the government. The mayor even was against this. It was a referendum put forward by the people and voted on by the people. Like those that look to government as the solution to everything bad you guys need to stop looking at government as the cause of everything bad. Make no mistake this was by the people, they signed to get it on, and they voted "Yes" government is simply enforcing the will of the people.

 

Of course I've never worked for anyone that didn't have sick days though I think "9" is rather excessive even for a large company. Having said that there is no requirement to provide vacation! I wonder if a company could, as mine has, convert everything to "Personal Time Off" days for use as vacation or sick days etc.

[srk1959]

First of all, this is not the government. The mayor even was against this. It was a referendum put forward by the people and voted on by the people. Like those that look to government as the solution to everything bad you guys need to stop looking at government as the cause of everything bad. Make no mistake this was by the people, they signed to get it on, and they voted "Yes" government is simply enforcing the will of the people.

 

Of course I've never worked for anyone that didn't have sick days though I think "9" is rather excessive even for a large company. Having said that there is no requirement to provide vacation! I wonder if a company could, as mine has, convert everything to "Personal Time Off" days for use as vacation or sick days etc.

 

 

Well Jeff here's the deal, I think you are a great guy. I have met you at some of the shows this year. But for you to get the point of whats going on here I will put it this way.

 

I don't think you should own your Shelby GT and there are millions of people in this country that think you shouldn't as well. Lets have a popular vote and get it on an IL referendum that we should take your Shelby GT from you! You are paying for it just like I scarficed to have my business. But that matters not! If it is the will of the people then shall it be... right or wrong! Depends on what view!

 

I don't want to get personal but the Star Trek Spock quote " the good of the many out weighs the good of the one" is not what America is about!

 

This can be dealt with but my whole point is this is going to get much worse.... Obama.... or not.. and is a clear sign of things to come.....this is setting a precedent.

[STILLEN]

First of all, this is not the government. The mayor even was against this. It was a referendum put forward by the people and voted on by the people. Like those that look to government as the solution to everything bad you guys need to stop looking at government as the cause of everything bad. Make no mistake this was by the people, they signed to get it on, and they voted "Yes" government is simply enforcing the will of the people.

 

Of course I've never worked for anyone that didn't have sick days though I think "9" is rather excessive even for a large company. Having said that there is no requirement to provide vacation! I wonder if a company could, as mine has, convert everything to "Personal Time Off" days for use as vacation or sick days etc.

 

Okay - simple minded approach here. Is it now a law that sick pay become a benefit for employers? If so - the government is involved. There are SOME things that just shouldnt be up for question - this is one of them.

[srk1959]

Okay - simple minded approach here. Is it now a law that sick pay become a benefit for employers? If so - the government is involved. There are SOME things that just shouldnt be up for question - this is one of them.

 

I agree. This will just put a lot of small businesses out. You will have to find a way to cover when the employee is taking the sick days but you can't hire another because then you have to provide them with sick days and it goes on and on. Once again my point is this is just getting started if they mandate that I must supply health insurance and cover 100% I am done...business gone. 10 years ago I paid 100% of the employee's health insurance.... 2 years ago I had to cancel even mine and my wife got a job at Costco so we could have it. Well I guess the line of thinking is we should not be in business then, but once we are gone prices on auto repair for Honda and Toyota owners will be going up.....no competition...but no one thinks about that.

 

But one bright side of this! The city must now hire and create a new enforcement department so there will be more city workers!

[Boss Doctor]

To those of you complaining about this referendum, let me ask you this: Has any of you ever been fired from a job, not because of the quality of your work, but for having gotten too sick to work for a few days? I have, and I've known of others who have a similar story. There's also rampant abuse of "At Will" laws as well, and this just might indeed be the start of something bigger.

 

If the few didn't abuse the many in the first place this referendum wouldn't have had legs to begin with.

 

Also, Independant Consultants can get you in BIG trouble with the labor laws. If they catch you having employees and calling them IC's, then you asked for it.

[srk1959]

If I ever get my company to where I can start building Custom 65-66 Mustangs, I will be hiring people as Sub-Contractors who are paid to do a specific Job instead of Paid by the hour. I have talked to several Body Shop Owners and they said that is a great idea and are now thinking of doing that as well.

 

David.

 

Unfortunately in automotive repair you can not have technicians as sub contractors with a 1099. It's a state law.

 

As far as people getting fired for being sick, I have never done that in 18 years, for someone that was really sick. Hangovers,fights with wife or girlfriends,working another job or just plan not wanting to come to work because didn't feel like it, that is a different story.

 

If you have a good employee and he needs time a good employer will give it to him. I have many,many times over the years.

 

So if anyone has been fired for being sick or family problems you must first ask yourself.......did I or did I not deserve to be fired? Have I missed lots of work previously? Was my work qulalitiy not what it was supposed to be? If any of those questions can be answered yes, Then you deserve what you got. If they are all no......then your employer was a P.O.S. and you don't want to work there anyways!

 

I was an employee from the age of 16 to 32 and I have been there done that on both sides employee/employer......so I know what each one's concern is.

 

This thread was just to get a feel of how some members on the board really felt about this issue and see about the fox ruling the hen house as they used to say.

 

I think that as a nation we should have a national vote on if everyone should not have to ever work again but just get a government check every month and be able to spend it as we please......I wonder if we could get enough votes for that to pass???

[Boss Doctor]

Unfortunately in automotive repair you can not have technicians as sub contractors with a 1099. It's a state law.

 

As far as people getting fired for being sick, I have never done that in 18 years, for someone that was really sick. Hangovers,fights with wife or girlfriends,working another job or just plan not wanting to come to work because didn't feel like it, that is a different story.

 

If you have a good employee and he needs time a good employer will give it to him. I have many,many times over the years.

 

So if anyone has been fired for being sick or family problems you must first ask yourself.......did I or did I not deserve to be fired? Have I missed lots of work previously? Was my work qulalitiy not what it was supposed to be? If any of those questions can be answered yes, Then you deserve what you got. If they are all no......then your employer was a P.O.S. and you don't want to work there anyways!

 

I was an employee from the age of 16 to 32 and I have been there done that on both sides employee/employer......so I know what each one's concern is.

 

This thread was just to get a feel of how some members on the board really felt about this issue and see about the fox ruling the hen house as they used to say.

 

I think that as a nation we should have a national vote on if everyone should not have to ever work again but just get a government check every month and be able to spend it as we please......I wonder if we could get enough votes for that to pass???

 

The operative word is always the "good" employer. Don't misunderstand me...I wasn't implying that you did this. I mean, how in the heck would I know?

 

My grandaughter was born premature a few months ago because my daughter was having issues. My future son-in-law missed 3 days of work as a "sub-contractor" in a body shop. The owner who ran the shop liked his work and didn't want to lose him, but his momma, (who was also an owner with ultimate decision-making power), fired my grandbaby daddy regardless of how her son felt or the circumstances surrounding his absence. This kind of sh!t happens far too frequently, and thus causes referendums like this one.

 

Many smaller employers are also hiding behind "At Will" laws to discriminate against various people, and that makes me sick! When I was trying to get back on my feet after getting ill and losing my practice, I had an employer who terminated me under Tennessee's "At Will" laws after he found out that I was disabled and needed reasonable accommodations. My manager loved my work, but the regional manager was the one who made the decision after he demanded a detailed letter from my physician, and I provided it.

 

I think that for the most part unions are past serving their purpose: however, the laws should protect the people. I don't believe in taxing companies, but I do believe there should be more regulations that protect their workers.

[RStangsOC]

I guess its a catch 22 sort of thing. I know there should be something in place to protect employees for things like this. EVERYONE gets sick sometime. For me - I personally would prefer that I get to decide what kind of benefits I provide for my employees. Heck, even where I am at now - we get THREE days a year available to us as sick time.

 

I kinda think what Jeff had mentioned - the PTO (Paid Time Off) option would be a great idea. Give an employee a pool of days that they get to decide how to use. If they call in sick, thats one less day they get to use as a vacation day.

 

Still - 9 days seems a little extreme to me - especially for small businesses.

[Boss Doctor]

Where I'm at now I get 2 weeks of Personal Bank Account that I can use for whatever. My vacation is treated separately. The PBA is use it by the end of the year or lose it just like vacation time. Since I'm not a big time off kind of guy, I would love to be able to sell back my unused time at the end of the year. I'd offer the employees a 50% buy-back at the end of the year.

[srk1959]

The operative word is always the "goog" employer. Don't misunderstand me...I wasn't implying that you did this. I mean, how in the heck would I know?

 

My grandaughter was born premature a few months ago because my daughter was having issues. My future son-in-law missed 3 days of work as a "sub-contractor" in a body shop. The owner who ran the shop liked his work and didn't want to lose him, but his momma, (who was also an owner with ultimate decision-making power), fired my grandbaby daddy regardless of how her son felt or the circumstances surrounding his absence. This kind of sh!t happens far too frequently, and thus causes referendums like this one.

 

Many smaller employers are also hiding behind "At Will" laws to discriminate against various people, and that makes me sick! When I was trying to get back on my feet after getting ill and losing my practice, I had an employer who terminated me under Tennessee's "At Will" laws after he found out that I was disabled and needed reasonable accommodations. My manager loved my work, but the regional manager was the one who made the decision after he demanded a detailed letter from my physician, and I provided it.

 

I think that for the most part unions are past serving their purpose: however, the laws should protect the people. I don't believe in taxing companies, but I do believe there should be more regulations that protect their workers.

 

 

I have worked for some rotten people in the past myself, I also agree that there should be some laws/safe guards in place. I am sorry to hear about what you have had to experience in the past. Thats what makes these issues a hot topic.

 

I posted because I wanted to see what the general feelings were out there. Not that it would really make a difference one way or another. But to get a perspective on if I was wrong on my feelings. As I have said we will make it through this one, but the next one I may not be so lucky whatever issue it may be. The economy is starting to take its toll even on us, no one has any money for repairs and credit isn't what it used to be. At best this issue will just cause hard feelings between some of my employee's and myself since I will have to make changes in other areas to compensate and most people are looking at this as a step up $$$ but in the long run for most it will just add bureaucracy will little or no gain.

 

I appreciate the responses and no hard feeling on my end toward any board members.

 

Steve

[kstrong]

Well as we continue our full speed ahead slide to socialism the city of Milwaukee wants to be at the fore front! They had has referendum on the ballots were city residents could vote on making mandatory paid sick days required for any business located in the city of Milwaukee.

 

The rest of the country better get ready because now it will be coming to you Federally mandated! Now that the city government can tell me what I HAVE to pay it won't be long before more HAVE to items come our way (small business). Letting citizens vote on requiring all businesses to HAVE to pay benefits for certain things will just eliminate us (small business). It has already caused some amount of hard feeling here this am. One of my good tech's voted for it and I told him that it was not a good thing.

 

He got upset and said well it only means you will HAVE to pay an extra 40 hrs of pay per year! You can write it off! I said wow thats just great we are barely making it as it stands and now I can payout extra $1000's and give everyone even more time off so I an short handed....what a deal!

 

I am posting the article below, I fear that my time is running out. 18 years in business and the future is very dim. I have cut back every thing I can except for my employee's which have gotten a $1.00 per hour raise every year the last 4 years and holiday bonuses and extra time off.

 

This only means I will have to cut back on those benefits which will make my business less desirable to work at and cause conflict.......S#@T....I am very tired!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid sick leave referendum wins big

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce considers legal challenge

By GEORGIA PABST of the Journal Sentinel

 

 

City of Milwaukee residents overwhelmingly approved a binding referendum Tuesday that calls for private employers in the city to provide paid sick leave for all their workers, a measure strongly opposed by business leaders and Mayor Tom Barrett. The final vote tally showed 69% voted for the referendum with 31% against.

Milwaukee now becomes only the third city in the country to require private employers to provide paid sick days. San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have approved similar measures.

 

The referendum went on the ballot after a coalition of union and community groups led by 9to5, the National Association of Working Women, collected more than 40,000 signatures.

 

Amy Stear, state director of 9to5, said Tuesday night that she was surprised by the margin of victory.

 

"We knew this was an issue that resonated with people in the city who understand it's so important for families to have the ability to work and care for their families," she said. "We believe business will find this will be good for them too because the costs of retraining and rehiring will be offset."

 

Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said a legal challenge will certainly be considered. He called the passage of the referendum "a foregone conclusion because of the way it was written."

 

Ninety-nine percent of employers believe it's a step in the wrong direction, he said. "It will be a barrier to marketing Milwaukee as a place to create jobs."

 

In a written statement, Barrett said he respects the voter' choice. "While I believe in the spirit of the proposal, it is at the federal level where I believe this issue needs to be addressed," he said. The ordinance will put the city at a competitive disadvantage, he said.

 

Supporters of the referendum relied on a seldom-used direct legislation law to bring the measure to a vote. When enough signatures were gathered, the Common Council had the choice of passing it or putting it on the ballot.

 

The referendum must now be published in the newspaper within 10 days. It must be implemented within 90 days of publication. The mayor cannot veto the action and the Common Council cannot amend or repeal the measure for two years, except by another referendum.

 

Under the measure, a full-time worker would earn a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, or nine days a year. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees would be required to provide five days a year of paid sick time to full-time employees.

 

The paid leave could be taken for illness or medical care for the employee or the employee's child, parent or other relative. The time could also be used to attend to medical and legal issues resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

 

Proponents waged a grass-roots, door-to-door campaign, distributing more than 200,000 pieces of literature that said no workers should have to lose a job because they are sick or have to care for a sick child.

 

Sheehy said that the MMAC decided against a counter-campaign to persuade voters to vote "no" because the issue did very well in polls.

We don't have that. Dang government. We should move to the US. Wait, if I get sick I get the day off with pay. :happy feet: I just can't afford to see a doc!

[David Hawkins]

I am waiting to see what they do with Smokers. I work for the State and there are a LOT of Employee's that Smoke and a LOT of them take way to many Smoke brakes and they usually last about 20 Minutes each. I am waiting to see if they put the Question "Do you Smoke?" on the Applications.

 

David.

[Boss Doctor]

I am waiting to see what they do with Smokers. I work for the State and there are a LOT of Employee's that Smoke and a LOT of them take way to many Smoke brakes and they usually last about 20 Minutes each. I am waiting to see if they put the Question "Do you Smoke?" on the Applications.

 

David.

 

Dell is moving to a smoke-free campus at the first of the year. There are going to be a lot of unhappy folks around here. It kind of tickles me because I don't like having to walk the gauntlet of smoke to walk into the building because they won't smoke in the designated areas.

[MY500SS]

srk1959,

You have a right to be unhappy over this. Running a small business is difficult enough and it's going to get harder still.

Best of luck.

[JeffIsHereToo]

Still - 9 days seems a little extreme to me - especially for small businesses.

 

 

+1

 

I don't know where the 9 days comes from...seems like a lot to me!

[JeffIsHereToo]

Well Jeff here's the deal, I think you are a great guy. I have met you at some of the shows this year. But for you to get the point of whats going on here I will put it this way.

 

I don't think you should own your Shelby GT and there are millions of people in this country that think you shouldn't as well. Lets have a popular vote and get it on an IL referendum that we should take your Shelby GT from you! You are paying for it just like I scarficed to have my business. But that matters not! If it is the will of the people then shall it be... right or wrong! Depends on what view!

 

I don't want to get personal but the Star Trek Spock quote " the good of the many out weighs the good of the one" is not what America is about!

 

This can be dealt with but my whole point is this is going to get much worse.... Obama.... or not.. and is a clear sign of things to come.....this is setting a precedent.

 

I agree and my point was it seemed people were blaming the government when it was something different. I think workers are, overall, pissed off, insecure, and tired of bring spit on. Let me give you an example of the opposite. Dell has has asked employees to take 5 days off without pay to help them ride out shortfalls. No promises but an expectation that the reduced headcount costs will stave off layoffs later. This is the same as what we are talking about here isn't it? The employer is taking money from employees aren't they?

 

Anyway, I think the average American worker cares VERY little about the company they work for and has no loyalty because they feel no loyalty from their employer. The days of company towns and working for the same company for 30 years are gone. No matter how hard you work, no matter how a many sick days you don't use, numbers are numbers and you can be gone in a heartbeat. How can we expect people to do anything else then to grab as much as they can while they are there and to hell with the long term viability of the company.

 

Opinions?

[Boss Doctor]

I agree and my point was it seemed people were blaming the government when it was something different. I think workers are, overall, pissed off, insecure, and tired of bring spit on. Let me give you an example of the opposite. Dell has has asked employees to take 5 days off without pay to help them ride out shortfalls. No promises but an expectation that the reduced headcount costs will stave off layoffs later. This is the same as what we are talking about here isn't it? The employer is taking money from employees aren't they?

 

Anyway, I think the average American worker cares VERY little about the company they work for and has no loyalty because they feel no loyalty from their employer. The days of company towns and working for the same company for 30 years are gone. No matter how hard you work, no matter how a many sick days you don't use, numbers are numbers and you can be gone in a heartbeat. How can we expect people to do anything else then to grab as much as they can while they are there and to hell with the long term viability of the company.

 

Opinions?

 

I agree. There is no more loyalty to the employee, so why should the employee be loyal to the employer?

 

But to clarify, Dell is asking for volunteers to take a week off without pay to prevent the more permanent measure of lay-offs. We just went through a lay-off of 10% across the board last year because Bain's (SP?) Consulting said they needed to do it. They also came in a recommended changes to comp plans without even knowing what the individuals did for the company. In my case that backfired on them.

[JeffIsHereToo]

I agree. There is no more loyalty to the employee, so why should the employee be loyal to the employer?

 

But to clarify, Dell is asking for volunteers to take a week off without pay to prevent the more permanent measure of lay-offs. We just went through a lay-off of 10% across the board last year because Bain's (SP?) Consulting said they needed to do it. They also came in a recommended changes to comp plans without even knowing what the individuals did for the company. In my case that backfired on them.

 

 

Thanks for the clarification! Hope all is well for you!

 

What do you do? We added over 10K new employees this last year here at Apple. Come over from the dark side!

[Boss Doctor]

Thanks for the clarification! Hope all is well for you!

 

What do you do? We added over 10K new employees this last year here at Apple. Come over from the dark side!

 

Are you getting senile already? I told you what I did for Dell 2 weeks ago in my PM.

 

I do technical pre-sales support for Dell's networking switches. My job is VERY secure, so I'm not worried at all. But that could change after January. I have to admit that Dell was chubby and needed the cuts, but they didn't do crap for efficiency to offset the cuts in staff. They also did what I guess it's the typical corporate response: lay-off a lot of Indians, but keep the same amount of chiefs.

[svttim]

Simple answer, since he gets another 40 hours of vacation, I guess he wont mind that you lower his pay that amount an hour. I mean, can only be a few pennies an hour

[azmartin]

Interesting comments. Having retired from an Large Oil Company after 22 years, and owning a few small businesses one of which I still operate, my view may be a little different then some. One item I haven't seem mentioned is the one of choice. We all have a choice to stay or go. To improve or stay the same. As an employee, I always believed and was raised that I was paid to do a job to the best of my ability, show up on time, be honest, get paid and we were even. I treat my employees with respect, always pay them, treat them all fairly. If they are sick I try to arrange it so they can make up time or change their day off schedule. They have a choice to be there and do thier job or leave to somewhere else if not happy or just wanting a different challenge. We are losing are rights everyday. So Milwaukee just took another one. If an employer is abusing their employees eventually it will hurt business due to lack of productivity, bad reports, bad service etc. A abusive employer should be reported, just as a bad or abusive employee should be terminated.

 

Just a thought.

[diamondback]

Well as we continue our full speed ahead slide to socialism the city of Milwaukee wants to be at the fore front! They had has referendum on the ballots were city residents could vote on making mandatory paid sick days required for any business located in the city of Milwaukee.

 

The rest of the country better get ready because now it will be coming to you Federally mandated! Now that the city government can tell me what I HAVE to pay it won't be long before more HAVE to items come our way (small business). Letting citizens vote on requiring all businesses to HAVE to pay benefits for certain things will just eliminate us (small business). It has already caused some amount of hard feeling here this am. One of my good tech's voted for it and I told him that it was not a good thing.

 

He got upset and said well it only means you will HAVE to pay an extra 40 hrs of pay per year! You can write it off! I said wow thats just great we are barely making it as it stands and now I can payout extra $1000's and give everyone even more time off so I an short handed....what a deal!

 

I am posting the article below, I fear that my time is running out. 18 years in business and the future is very dim. I have cut back every thing I can except for my employee's which have gotten a $1.00 per hour raise every year the last 4 years and holiday bonuses and extra time off.

 

This only means I will have to cut back on those benefits which will make my business less desirable to work at and cause conflict.......S#@T....I am very tired!

 

Really there is a way around it if it actually becomes law(which it wont). Just get rid of the benifit of 1 week paid time off and just tell the employees they have a week of paid sick time that they can use for vacation also if they want to that way there is nothing gained and nothing lossed on both ends and the stupid new law is moot. Everyone will be doing this. If you think creatively there is a way around every law.

[srk1959]

Really there is a way around it if it actually becomes law(which it wont). Just get rid of the benifit of 1 week paid time off and just tell the employees they have a week of paid sick time that they can use for vacation also if they want to that way there is nothing gained and nothing lossed on both ends and the stupid new law is moot. Everyone will be doing this. If you think creatively there is a way around every law.

 

That is what most will do. In the end it will have caused a lot of employer/employee hard feelings, bad press for Milwaukee business and it will have just created another city department that they will have to find a way to keep funded......gee wonder how they will do that?

 

Thanks to all for the replies, I am glad to see that some do realize how senseless this was and in the end will not help hardly anyone but just add to the city of Milwaukee worthless payroll for enforcement. Just like the waste tire BS that we have to deal with among many things!

[getright1]

We don't have that. Dang government. We should move to the US. Wait, if I get sick I get the day off with pay. :happy feet: I just can't afford to see a doc!