And there are exceptions now. If you’re self-employed and choose to work with harmful solvents unprotected or stand on the top step of a ladder, probably no one will care. Not a big deal. Most workers are W-2.
Should we throw workplace safety rules out the window because self-employed people might ignore them? I think not.
Even members of professions with deadlines should be entitled to reasonable time off if they’re full-time jobs. Either have adequate staffing or hire a locum for the vacation time of the permanent employee. Goes for lawyers and doctors. Police? Hmm. Maybe some cuts in time worked could be made if so much time weren’t wasted investigating victimless crimes like drug use by consenting adults or prostitution involving the same.
You’re also assuming that there will be fewer hours worked IN TOTAL, vs per person, with lower unemployment. If you offload the costs of providing benefits like health care and retirement onto the government, it becomes less costly to hire 1.1-1.2 employees with adequate working hours and time off for every one that’s worked like a slave. Besides, if hiring costs go up a bit, cry me a river.
Assuming productivity drops, of course, which isn’t a given, since healthy and well-rested people tend to be more efficient.
Lastly, about vacations: they don’t have to be a big dog and pony show involving flying to Vegas or France. Nothing wrong with having the time to take one’s family hiking in the national park 50 miles away for a few days. Not much consumption or many services involved with that.
