IWV Supports the Working Families Flexibility Act
May 1, 2017
Dear Members of Congress,
Independent Women’s Voice, a 501(c)(4) organization for mainstream women, men and families, is proud to support the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 1180), which will provide workers with more flexibility and control over their work lives.
Americans—particularly American women—know that compensation comes in different forms. Not all workers prefer extra pay for working overtime. Many would prefer additional time off instead of more pay. And more people will be able to act on this preference once the Working Families Flexibility Act takes effect. This bill amends the woefully out-of-date, Depression-era law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, to allow employers and workers to voluntarily agree to 1.5 hours of compensatory time for every hour of overtime worked, instead of 1.5 times pay for that additional hour.
That’s an option that public sector employees have enjoyed for decades. It’s past time to give that additional flexibility to private-sector workers. This flexibility will help working parents, working students, those caring for an aging parent, and the millions of other workers who are trying to balance responsibilities both on and off the job.
Independent Women’s Voice applauds Rep. Martha Roby for championing this bill and urges other members of Congress to support this commonsense legislation to give more workers the flexibility they need and deserve.
Sincerely,
Carrie Lukas
Vice President for Policy Independent Women’s Voice