S.408 - Job Protection Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Job Protection Act (S.408) aims to expand eligibility for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993. It seeks to reduce the employment period required for leave eligibility from 12 months to 90 days. The bill also broadens the scope of employers subject to leave requirements, potentially including those with one or more employees.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would allow more employees to take job-protected leave for family and medical reasons. This change could particularly benefit new employees and those working for smaller businesses. It may also increase administrative burdens on smaller employers.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to job-protected leave for more employees.
- Reduced waiting period for new employees to become eligible for leave.
- Potential for improved employee morale and retention.
- Greater flexibility for employees to address family and medical needs.
- Could lead to a healthier and more productive workforce.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased costs for employers, especially small businesses, due to more frequent leave requests.
- Potential administrative burdens for employers to manage leave requests.
- Possible disruptions to business operations due to employee absences.
- Could lead to increased litigation related to leave eligibility and compliance.
- May create challenges for employers in industries with high turnover rates.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution (Preamble), as it aims to promote the well-being of workers and families. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which could be used to justify federal leave requirements. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).