Americans are known for their hardworking, innovative spirit. With a working population of over 161 million, we have all the human capital necessary to create prosperity for everyone. The trouble is, we’re tied down by restrictive labor regulations. On top of the overwhelming federal regulatory structure, each state has on average 179 occupational barriers that restrict how we can work.
We need to reverse course. People are capable of making decisions for themselves about what types of work they want to do. We do not help workers by taking away their options.
To see the advantages of worker flexibility, consider contractors. Many labor regulations do not apply to contract work. When polled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overwhelming majority of contractors say they prefer it. If labor regulations are truly there to protect workers, why do so many prefer the arrangement that allows them to avoid these “protections”? Unfortunately, Washington seems intent on cracking down on contractors, making it more difficult to have your work classified in that way.
Rather than expanding the restrictive regulatory regime to contractors, we should try to extend flexibility to all kinds of workers. We need to free up the job market and reignite our entrepreneurial spirit by cutting through these barriers. Here are some key legislative strategies that can help us:
- Reduce Federal Overreach: Implement reforms that minimize federal interference in small businesses. Bills like the Employee Rights Act protect businesses from excessive regulatory burdens and allow them to operate more freely and efficiently.
- Protect Local Businesses: Strengthen the legal framework to support local businesses by preventing them from being unfairly labeled as joint employers, which often leads to complex legal responsibilities and stifled growth. The Save Local Businesses Act is a step toward this direction.
- Enhance Work Flexibility: Workers need the power to set their own terms. For example, The Working Families Flexibility Act gives workers the choice to opt for compensatory leave instead of overtime pay, providing them the flexibility to balance personal and professional commitments.
- Empower Modern Workers: Update employment regulations to better reflect the realities of the gig economy, thus promoting flexibility and acknowledging the growing trend of freelance and independent contractor work. The Modern Worker Empowerment Act aims to achieve this.
History shows wealth never comes from top-down government plans.
It’s only by empowering each one of us to find our own paths that the creative potential of our nation is unleashed. Who knows better than you where your talents, constraints, preferences and passions lie?
By implementing these labor reforms, we can remove the shackles of outdated regulations and allow the American workforce to thrive by pursuing success in their unique ways.
At Prosperity Is Possible, we believe in the potential of the American people. We can unleash a new era of economic growth and opportunity. Together, we can create a labor market that works for everyone, driving prosperity and fulfilling the promise of the American Dream.
