May. 05, 2004 - 22:06 MST

THE WONDERING JEW

A Little Sense

Now and then one part of Congress or another does something that is a bit amazing.

According to an article from the Associated Press in today's Rocky Mountain News:

Senate votes to keep OT rights as is

"In an election-year snub of the Bush administration, the Republican-controlled Senate voted Tuesday to require that new Labor Department regulations guarantee the right to overtime pay for all workers who now qualify."

"The vote was 52 - 47"

"The issue now moves to the house."

+++++++++++++++

It has always seemed to me that if an operation is adequately staffed the only overtime that might be required would be in times of grave emergencies. And employees usually rise to the occasion and put in hours on hours in an emergency with out question.

Along those lines inept administration can also cause panic overtime whereas if the brass would think ahead enough there would be no need for overtime.

From my experience and observation it is obvious to me that more than eight hours a day, five days a week cuts the efficiency and productivity of workers. Working extra hours, extra days seems to me to be a losing battle for a company and deprives employees from having a decent home life.

To require overtime pay from employers could possibly keep them from running a slave ship with their staff, one might say.

Through the years employers have found ways to get extra hours from their workers without paying overtime by devious means, and of course there are the companies who arbitrarily decide that certain specialties do not get paid overtime for some off the wall reason or another.

I feel that the average working guy is behind the eight ball most of the time anyway, at least pay them for their extra worked hours. Although not perfect the overtime rules in force for many years should not be altered and should have proper oversight. Of course, you know doing so might make A Little Sense . . . . . . . .

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