Portrait, Robert Reich, 08/16/09. (photo: Perian Flaherty)
10 August 12
ack from three weeks off grid, much of it hiking in Alaska and Australia.
When I left the U.S. economy was in a stall, Greece
was on the brink of defaulting, the euro-zone couldn't get its act
together, the Fed couldn't decide on another round of quantitative
easing, congressional Democrats and Republicans were in gridlock, much
of the nation was broiling, and neither Obama nor Romney had put forward
a bold proposal for boosting the economy, slowing climate change, or
much of anything else.
What a difference three weeks makes.
Here's a bold proposal I offer free of charge to Obama
or Romney: Every American should get a mandatory minimum of three weeks
paid vacation a year.
Most Americans only get two weeks off right now. But
many don't even take the full two weeks out of fear of losing their
jobs. One in four gets no paid vacation at all, not even holidays.
Overall, Americans have less vacation time than workers in any other
advanced economy.
This is absurd. A mandatory three weeks off would be good for everyone - including employers.
Studies show workers who take time off are more
productive after their batteries are recharged. They have higher morale,
and are less likely to mentally check out on the job.
This means more output per worker - enough to
compensate employers for the cost of hiring additional workers to cover
for everyone's three weeks' vacation time.
It's also a win for the economy, because these
additional workers would bring down the level of unemployment and put
more money into more people's pockets. This extra purchasing power would
boost the economy overall.
More and longer vacations would also improve our health. A study by Wisconsin's Marshfield Clinic
shows women who take regular vacations experience less tension and
depression year round. Studies also show that men who take regular
vacations have less likelihood of heart disease and fewer heart attacks.
Better health is not just good for us as individuals.
It also translates into more productive workers, fewer sick days, less
absenteeism. And lower health care costs.
In other words, a three-week minimum vacation is a win-win-win - good for workers, good for employers, and good for the economy.
And I guarantee it would also be a winner among voters. Obama, Romney - either of you listening?
Robert Reich is Chancellor's Professor of Public
Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. He has served in
three national administrations, most recently as secretary of labor
under President Bill Clinton. He has written thirteen books, including
"Locked in the Cabinet," "Reason," "Supercapitalism," "Aftershock," and
his latest e-book, "Beyond Outrage." His 'Marketplace' commentaries can be found on publicradio.com and iTunes.
No comments:
Post a Comment