This is a US-focused post.
The pressure is on. Reports of the collapse of the commercial real estate market are becoming front page news.
Barring another pandemic, the “great return to the office” is inevitable.
Maybe now is the time to fight, to use our collective human capital, to establish new legislation and regulations that will make work better for all in the long run.
I would propose the following at a minimum:
Every American across the board gets 30 days annual paid vacation.
Every American across the board gets 15 days annual paid sick leave.
Every expecting mother gets nine months paid maternity leave, starting 30 days before the child's due date. She also receives employment protection and can't be fired. Expecting dads get six months paid paternity leave with the same employment protections.
Regulations mandating paid lunch breaks, minimum square footage office space per employee, and mandatory access to natural sunlight and fresh air. Additionally, employees must have access to modern, ergonomic office equipment (chairs, stand-up desks, etc.) every five years.
Every employee in the US must be offered public transit and bicycle subsidy benefits.
Additional union and collective bargaining protections.
Why Biden/Harris 2024 isn't running on this already is a sad statement on the Democratic party. Unlike Europe, we don't have a party that primarily fights for the rights of labor.
What would you add to this hypothetical bill?