Posted by Brian McCullough
Via SavvySugar, we learn that New Jersey might become the third state in the union to make paid lead a right for those workers who have a new baby or need to take care of a sick relative.
Workers taking leave would be eligible for two-thirds their salary maxing out at $524 per week for six weeks. The measure would be financed by employee payroll deductions that would cost New Jersey workers a maximum of $33 a year. The assembly is expected to approve the bill next week, and if the bill becomes law it would be effective as of the first of next year.
It goes without saying, at least to me, that this is a good idea. All workers should be in favor of this sort of thing. Why? Because all workers would benefit from it.
It is positively worth it to me to pay $30 or so dollars a year to have this sort of “insurance” available to me. One day, I will have a new baby. One day you will too. Or your son or daughter might.
And one day I’ll have to take some time off to help my aged parents. You will too.
And one day I’ll be the aged parent and my sons and daughters will need the flexibility to look after me. Ditto for you.
And with this sort of insurance, we’d all have the flexibility to take time off for these sorts of things without jeopardizing our careers or our finances.
I can hear the grumbling out there… more taxes… more taxes…
Listen, I’m very much a middle of the road political moderate and fiscal conservative. I’m a businessman, after all. But have we become so inculcated against taxes and anything the government does, that we’re even against things that would directly help us?
That’s why I say every worker should be in favor of this sort of thing. It helps all of us working folk. Every state in the union should offer this.
We middle class and working class people shouldn’t be afraid to be greedy. This isn’t just another government handout to help “someone else.” This is a valuable benefit that can someday help you!
I’m greedy! I want paid leave when I have a kid in a couple of years. And I’m willing to pay $30 a year for the privilege.
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