ProgressOhio

I wonder; if this becomes law, what else could we impose on businesses? Why not make it mandatory for businesses to continue paying employees for at least six weeks after closing or moving their office? That should give ample time for employees losing their jobs to find new ones. How about requiring businesses to have a low-cost food service on the premises so that employees would have easy access to food? This would lower gasoline usage and, perhaps eliminate extended lunches. Perhaps we should require businesses to have a room available for employees experiencing an elevated level of stress? Nearly all of us get unhinged now and then. It’s unhealthful and reduces our productivity. A nice, calming room where we can unwind and collect ourselves would lead to a healthier, more productive employee. Nearly all businesses have microwave ovens, toasters, coffee makers and ice making machines. So why not make it required of all businesses?

I bet you can come up with dozens of other ideas. I’ve actually worked for companies that have provided each of these – at one time or another. But each company did so as a way to attract employees. In the free market economy that we (currently) live in, it’s benefits such as these that entice potential employees to such companies.

So why don’t all companies provide all the same benefits? There are many reasons.

Cost, of course, is usually the biggest restricting factor.

Requiring businesses to provide sick days for employees sounds like a good idea too. Who wouldn’t want a guarantee of seven paid days in case you or someone you cared for was sick? But what are the costs? Would a business be affected by paying each of its employees to not work seven days a year? Seriously, how can a company afford that cost?
Like everything else in business, there are only a few choices:

1. Reduce other costs, such as employee compensation.
2. Increase revenue by increasing prices on goods and services to customers.
3. Accept smaller profits (or increased losses).
4. Break the law.
5. Close the business.
6. Move the business to a region where the requirement is not mandated.

Personally, I’d like my company to stay in business and continue to pay me the same salary. If this becomes law, one or more of those choices will have to be chosen by the owners of the company. There’s no way around it. Interestingly, my company already provides me with plenty of PTO time. I can use it as vacation or sick time. But under this new bill, 7 additional ‘Sick Day’ days will have to be included.

In a state that is losing jobs weekly, as businesses are forced to close or are leaving because of the higher costs to do business here, this bill seems like a very, very bad idea. It may sound nice – eliminating the choice between a paycheck or staying home sick – but the cost to doing business in Ohio is already steeper than most states. And Ohio ranks very high in tax costs. Many businesses have already chosen to leave because of the higher costs; we can’t afford to push more out of the state.