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Ban "use it or lose it" vacation policies?

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This year legislators voted down HB 1201, a bill that would prohibit “use it or lose it” vacation policies. If the bill had passed, companies would have had to pay workers for vacation time they earned but couldn’t take due to the needs of the business. (Workers would still have lost vacation they didn’t take for personal reasons). ​​

Read more about issues related to employee protections in New Hampshire

“Should NH require employers to compensate workers for vacation time they earned, but were unable to take due to the needs of the business?”

Discussion held on Citizens Count website and Facebook page June 17, 2018

183 citizens responded 126 citizens were in favor of requiring compensation for unused vacation time40 citizens were opposed to requiring compensation for unused vacation time 17 citizens commented on related questions or issues
What Participants Said

Yes: 126 citizens were in favor of requiring employers to compensate workers for vacation time they earned, but were unable to take due to the needs of the business.

  •  “Yes of course. It's part of the employee benefits package. Otherwise, the employee should earn more money.”​
  • “Yes. In a medical setting many can not use vacation time because the patients must come first!"

  • ““Vacation time” is an EARNED benefit, therefore should NOT be subject to "use or lose".  It's the SAME as money in the bank, and you don't see banks saying "use your money or lose it in a year" now do you?” 

No: 40 citizens were opposed to requiring employers to compensate workers for vacation time they earned, but were unable to take due to the needs of the business.  

  • “No. Private business is between the employer and the employee. If the employee is being treated unfairly, time for a new job. Shouldn't be too difficult with 3.9% unemployment.”  

  • “If you take a job and don't like the terms you agree to when you got the job, you only have yourself to blame.”  
  • “Up to the business to decide. They cut a check for time earned. My experience anyway.  Union contract or employee handbook usually discusses this.” 

Other: 17 citizens addressed their comments to related questions and issues.
These included:

  • Many businesses already compensate for unused vacation: “I never had an employer who wiped out earned time off; when I left one company after 15 years I had 20 vacation days coming, and was paid for them...”​
  • Depends on the situation: “If they're not allowed to take it and it's not carried over, yes.  If they choose to work as a favor and it is carried over to next year, no.” 

  • The ‘need of the business’ shouldn’t be a factor: “… If an employee is unable to use their vacation due to the needs of the business that is the employers fault, not the employees. I see a great potential for abuse here...” 

*Editor selection of actual participant quotes.

Read the full Facebook discussion of this question

Click here for details on our methodology

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