ALT-1 Should us Workers be Guaranteed more Vacation Time – Yes
Every generation is different. Most would be hard pressed to say that the current work force doesn't want the time off, because they do. They also want flexibility and to be shown respect. Do I believe these things need to be required or guaranteed? No.
The companies that do require their employees to take time off have improved productivity from their staff after they return from the time off. That is proven. Whether or not it needs to be required will remain up for debate for many years.
With that said, if employers don't adapt to the needs of their current workforce and give them the time off they call for, the bottom line does suffer. That is a proven statistic. Not to mention the sick calls and miscellaneous days off employees take throughout the year which has direct connection to the overall productivity of the company itself.
Granted, generations are a bit harder to please nowadays, but if the employers do not adapt to the psychology and the mind set of the new work force it is the employer that will suffer.
Employers and employees are less loyal to each other than they have ever been, so having a third party come in to "regulate" certain aspects of the work place may help each side. Every aspect of the negotiation process between the work force and the employers them selves does not have to be negotiated by a third party. However, having someone a step removed does help with certain issues, like time off.
Paid time off is a big issue for both sides because it is a very important part of the emotional and human factor of having employees. Employees do make the company money and when they are not working they are not making money. Going back to the human factor, employees are not machines and giving them the innate ability to take time off at certain times will inevitably help both sides.
The employee and the employer must understand each side's position and guaranteeing time off will help both work around the issue by preparing for when the employee does leave. When an employee calls in sick or just takes a day off both are less likely to be prepared for that and actual work production goes down.
Guaranteeing time off will ultimately help the employer be able to set up their business so they are prepared for the times employees are not there. On the other side, knowing as a worker you are guaranteed time off will help your mindset and morale which will help you be more productive the days you are on the job working. Now whether or not you choose to work on your time off, well, that's an entirely different issue.
