Workplace Issues Today
Daily News for Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Selected by the Catherwood Library Reference Staff each Monday through Friday, excluding University holidays, WIT is a free alert service, providing abstracts and links to workplace-related news stories covered in the major media. Subscribe to WIT »
Established in 1999, this service also includes a searchable archive.
Labor report still finds problems in Scotland
A report released Monday, originally commissioned by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), found that sectarianism (discrimination based on religious sect) still exists in many Scottish workplaces. The study said that progress had been made towards reducing the discrimination against Catholics, but said that much sectarianism still exists 'disguised' as humor or light banter. The report recommended that employers create clear guidelines defining sectarianism vs. banter, create a safe environment where all employees feel comfortable, and do, report incidences of sectarianism, and that employers be required legally to monitor incidences of sectarian discrimination in the workplace. The report urged employers and unions to work together to create clear anti-discriminatory policies with clear penalties for incidents of sectarianism. The report cited a number of observed cases of discrimination, ranging from trivial 'banter' to property damage and potentially violent incidents.
See “Employers must act to curb sectarian banter in the workplace,” The Herald (Scotland), Nov 24 2009 (JKW)
Detroit public schools, union reach tentative agreement
The Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Schools Teachers Union announced a tentative agreement today, after weeks of negotiation on a contract that ran out several months ago. Union and school leaders called the negotiations 99% complete, saying that after a short break for the holidays they expect to wrap up the final details next week, and schedule a vote by union members for December 5th or 6th. Particulars of the agreement were not released but spokespeople said that it would contain professional development programs, performance bonuses, a teacher evaluation system, and provisions for the development of new schools. The contract may temporarily increase the budget deficit faced by practically every school district in the nation today, but union leaders agree that given the state of Detroit schools, the reforms are necessary.
See “DPS teachers to vote on new contract,” by Tammy Stables Battaglia, Detroit Free Press, Nov 24 2009 (JKW)
Government discusses mandated sick leave for H1N1
The House of Representatives continues to struggle this week with two bills proposed to curb the spread of H1N1. One bill would require five days of paid sick leave for workers sent home or told to stay home because of illness. The other would require seven days paid sick leave for all employees, including for parents forced to stay home with sick children. Both bills are considered only temporary and would expire after two years. Those in favor of one or the other of the bills say that about 34% of workers do not get any paid sick leave, that the CDC has advised anyone with a fever to stay home to avoid the spread of the virus, and that without legal sick leave, illness could put the jobs of some employees at risk. Opponents say that flexibility is more important in dealing with H1N1. They fear that required sick leave would force employees to cut other benefits, and suggest instead creating incentives for employers to allow paid sick leave.
See “Mandating paid sick days could slow the H1N1 pandemic,” by Brian Tumulty, The Ithaca Journal, Nov 24 2009 (JKW)