Hello, all! I drafted a letter to the governor of Massachusetts regarding a paid time off mandate. As far as my research goes, there don't seem to be official PTO minimum requirements in the state of Massachusetts. I am looking to change that, and the below letter is my first step. I also am considering starting a petition on change.org or another popular site in favor of this.
I have little legal experience and graduating high school four years ago. Please provide additional criticism and wisdom as needed. This is a draft of the email I will send to the office of the governor of Massachusetts:
August 23, 2022
The Honorable Charlie Baker
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Governor Baker:
As a citizen of the Commonwealth, I am writing this letter to urge you and your appropriate state agencies to act swiftly to implement a mandatory minimum PTO requirement that all employers must abide by. Although there are already PTO packages in a number of different companies, it is often true that many businesses, which have locations in our state, do not have solid minimum PTO requirements, and that employees often must work for an extended period of time to accrue negligible amounts of PTO.
It is understood that our state has come to be due to the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors. In saying this I recognize the importance of hard work and dedication in the workplace and other environments. However, the mental and physical wellbeing of our citizens, including myself, depends largely on our capacity to take time off to recuperate, to spend time with our loved ones, and to catch up on any and all life tasks that inevitably concern all of us.
Due to some of these concerns, I am respectfully requesting that all employers (as applicable by law) within the Commonwealth be required to allow, at minimum, 18 days of PTO to all employees. Additionally, I am asking that no time-based employment requirements are attached to this mandate for any given employer.
An 18 day PTO allotment would account for sick days, personal days, and vacation time collectively. For each day of PTO under this law, an employee would receive eight (8) hours' pay at their typical pay rate. For example, if an employee is earning 18 dollars hourly in a given role, PTO payouts would reflect eight hours of work (at a rate of $18 dollars per hour) for each day of PTO taken.
I understand that such a mandate may (if applicable) require that citizens and outside parties generate additional funds to support it. Below, I have outlined a few potential funding options, which may be used separately or in conjunction with one another should they be required:
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Impose a state tax of 1% of one's total yearly income upon those making up to $35,000.00 yearly, 2% yearly for those earning between $35,001.00 and $70,000.00 yearly, and 2.5% yearly for those earning $70,001.00 or more yearly.
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Government- sponsored PTO contribution fund that citizens, workers, and other parties can contribute money to over a given course of time. Perhaps the state department of revenue and the IRS could initiate this kind of electronic and/ or mail-in fund. After a set period, employers would receive electronic payments to their PTO accounts based on the number of employees they have and other information about their businesses.
I strongly urge you to act now to implement a mandate that would require all employers across the Commonwealth, where applicable, to offer PTO in the manner prescribed above. This measure would potentially improve workplace morale, lessen turnover rates, increase productivity, and serve as a step toward creating happier, healthier work environments across the state.
Thank you again for your attention to this urgent request, and your efforts are appreciated.
Sincerely,
Mr./ Miss ******* ********, Massachusetts Resident.