Home care worker overtime could have unintended consequences
President Barack Obama is advocating the extension of overtime and minimum wage protections to workers in the home care industry, but some industry groups warn that the move may backfire, KSEE-TV reports.
"This (legislation) will have unintended consequences: continuity of care will suffer, care will become more expensive and workers' pay will go down," said Joe Hafkenschiel, president of the California Association for Health Services at Home, as quoted by the news source.
Stacey Dollar of Fresno-based Around the Clock care services provider noted that she would be taking on more staff in an effort to avoid overtime employee attendance rates, a move that's likely to result in employees working fewer hours.
Those who do pay overtime will have to increase their prices as a result, which could lead to the creation of what Dollar terms "an underground economy" as people turn to independent care workers with cheaper rates.
According to The New York Times, labor unions and advocates for low-wage workers have long campaigned for the time and attendance legislation changes.
"This (legislation) will have unintended consequences: continuity of care will suffer, care will become more expensive and workers' pay will go down," said Joe Hafkenschiel, president of the California Association for Health Services at Home, as quoted by the news source.
Stacey Dollar of Fresno-based Around the Clock care services provider noted that she would be taking on more staff in an effort to avoid overtime employee attendance rates, a move that's likely to result in employees working fewer hours.
Those who do pay overtime will have to increase their prices as a result, which could lead to the creation of what Dollar terms "an underground economy" as people turn to independent care workers with cheaper rates.
According to The New York Times, labor unions and advocates for low-wage workers have long campaigned for the time and attendance legislation changes.
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