Healthcare Reform: Get In On the Debate

Ann Bares over at Compensation Force posted on HR Pros: Make Your Voice Heard in the Healthcare Reform Debate. This is a call for "people in the know" to have some input on the legislative process. READ THIS and DO SOMETHING! If we do not help guide this debate we run the risk of having to deal with a MAJOR DISASTER OF A BILL.

Of course such a bill might be good for the longterm employment prospects of benefits specialists, so you decide whether you want in the fray. But for all of you who have complained in the past of NOT BEING PROACTIVE here is your opportunity.

Step up. It is ok to express an opinion. If nothing else at least study the issues.

HR Is Caught in a Whirlwind of Political Wrangling

The Democrat controlled 111th House of Representatives flexed it's muscles today. Nancy Pelosi et. al. changed the rules on how bills are dealt with in the House. As stated in this Washington Post article House rule changes squander good will "The spirit of bipartisan cooperation didn't survive the first day of the 111th Congress as House Democrats pushed through a package of rule changes Tuesday that the furious Republican minority said trampled their traditional rights to affect legislation." Well that is just politics you say, why should it matter to human resources? That reason is this change:"The most contentious rule change places new restrictions on motions to "recommit" a bill for new amendments to the committee that approved it. In practice, that motion often meant a lengthy or even permanent delay in passing the measure. Motions to recommit would still be possible, but the new rules allow the full House to reconsider the bill almost instantaneously." Ok, so what, how does that affect HR?

It affects HR in that it makes it almost impossible for Republican Representatives to have legislation they think is bad for the country reconsidered. And for many this includes the two pieces of legislation that are being acted on RIGHT NOW, AS IN JANUARY 7TH. These are the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. Both of these may be noble in thought but are bad in execution. SHRM, The U.S. Chamber of Congress and other business associations are all lined up in opposition to these bills.

But this opposition, and the letter writing campaign SHRM called for may come too late. These bills are being pushed through the House as I write this and with the rules changes House opponents may have no opportunity to stop or have have the bills reconsidered. New Congressional Representatives are being asked to vote on something they have had no time to get educated on. (Of course, I believe most Representatives don't have a clue about how businesses operate anyway. Most have never had to make a payroll.)

The Ledbetter Fair Pay Act would effectively eliminate the uniform statue of limitations on pay discrimination claims and restart the time clock for filing such a charge with the EEOC upon the receipt of each successive paycheck. The bill would also re-start the time clock when a retiree receives an annuity check from an employer, and would thus keep employers liable to a discrimination claim potentially decades after an alleged act of misconduct. The legislation would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act.

The Paycheck Fairness Act would limit an employer’s ability to justify paying different salaries to workers based in different locations with different costs of living. Second, the bill would lift the caps on compensatory or punitive damages for which employers would be liable, in addition to current liability for back pay. These damage penalties would apply to even unintentional pay disparities.

A third piece of legislation, the Employee Free Choice Act, may also soon be offered on the floor but opinions vary on its immediate chances of success. The other two are considered "low hanging fruit" (after all who is not for fairness?). Here are two articles that offer slightly different points of view on these issues. Workplace legislation coming to a head in Congress from the Kansas City Star and Labor Unions' Top Priority Faces Delay from the Wall Street Journal. Check them out. I would offer to send you to SHRM's website for information too... BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY VISIBLE! Yes they sent a letter to the membership but how about posting it for everyone to see?? I am gravely disappointed.

Don't be passive with this legislation. Inform you legislator of your opinion, either pro or con. I wrote about this, here, in reference to the election. The advice offered there still applies.

Minimum Wage Increase

I heard a discussion on NPR about the effect of the increase in the minimum wage that will occur in January with the new Democratically controlled Congress. It will increase over a three year period ending at $7.25 per hour. Obviously, being presented on NPR the discussion had both pros and cons.

My question for you is: How do you feel about? Will it effect your business? Do you think it will affect the economy? Will people gain from it? Will people lose as a result of it? Will we, the consumer, ultimately pay for it? Weigh-in on this discussion and lets hear what you have to say.

However, regardless of what you think about it, it is coming, so you had better be thinking of the issues and how it will effect your company.