Bill Overview
Title: Flexibility for Workers Education Act
Description: This bill excludes from hours worked certain voluntary training that occurs outside an employee's regular working hours. Such training does not count as hours worked even if it is offered by the employer, provided that an employee's working conditions are not adversely affected by choosing not to participate and the employee does not perform any productive work for the employer during the training.
Sponsors: Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-1]
Target Audience
Population: Workers participating in voluntary training outside regular hours
Estimated Size: 80000000
- The legislation affects individuals who are employed and might be offered training by their employers.
- The Act specifically concerns voluntary training done outside regular working hours, so it affects employees who might take part in or consider taking such training.
- It focuses on the definition of hours worked, impacting employees who may have expected these training hours to be counted as hours worked for wage purposes.
- Given its focus on voluntary training, the target population includes workers across various industries where such training is commonplace.
- Many industries offer voluntary training opportunities outside of regular work hours, such as IT, healthcare, and education, among others.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects people who are employed and subject to employer-provided training outside of regular hours.
- Since this training is voluntary, its impact will be more noticeable among individuals who balance work with other commitments and also seek to enhance their skills.
- The chosen interviews will include a mix of individuals from different industries where such training is common, reflecting diversity in location, age, gender, and occupation.
- The policy might have minor economic impact on employees expecting compensation for training hours; thus, interviews reflect variations in potential wellbeing adjustments over the years.
- To ensure coverage, include at least one interview where the policy has no effect, showing awareness that not all workers engage in this type of training or care about the specified changes.
Simulated Interviews
software developer (New York, NY)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I find employer-sponsored training beneficial for skill enhancement.
- It's good to know that training outside regular hours remains non-mandatory.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
nurse (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a healthcare professional, ongoing education is critical.
- I appreciate not feeling pressured to participate in unpaid extra hours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
accountant (Chicago, IL)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am thinking about further studies and need to weigh my options.
- It's crucial that my choice to skip training doesn't affect job security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
UX Designer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I enjoy learning new things but don't always have the time.
- This policy helps not to lose out on pay for voluntary learning.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
teacher (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Voluntary training sessions keep me updated in teaching methods.
- I would feel indifferent if sessions were outside of work but unpaid.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
IT specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Technical certifications require time outside work, which is sometimes unpaid.
- It's crucial my employer doesn't compel me to do it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
electrician (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training must never be forced or affect pay.
- I appreciate that notion being written into law.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
nurse assistant (Denver, CO)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Further training helps career growth, but must not be mandatory without pay.
- Policy reassurance prevents unnecessary stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
HR manager (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- From an HR perspective, we need to stay flexible with optional training.
- I support the legislation as it respects individual choice and legal compliance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
junior marketer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Volunteering for free training is currently my choice, but balance is key.
- Clear distinction around training outside work hours is beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $-10000000, High: $10000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $-10000000, High: $10000000)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $-10000000, High: $10000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $-10000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $-10000000, High: $10000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $-10000000, High: $10000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill primarily affects the definition of 'hours worked' for voluntary training, likely leading to adjustments in how employers calculate payroll for employees opting into these trainings.
- The act potentially contributes to increased skill levels of workers, resulting in long-term individual and organizational productivity gains.
- No direct financial impact on public sector budgets is expected, although secondary economic effects may occur.