Judge Takes Away Minimum Wage Protections From Home Care Workers

[applegrove]

Judge Takes Away Minimum Wage Protections From Home Care Workers

by Bryce Covert at Think Progress

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/12/23/3606544/judge-home-care-workers/

"SNIP.......................

Under his ruling, home care workers who are employed by agencies and other third-party employers can still be denied the minimum wage and overtime pay if they provide primarily “fellowship and protection” rather than more in-depth care. Workers who are employed by agencies and live in their clients’ homes can also be denied overtime.

The decision sides with Home Care Associates, the International Franchise Association, and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, which sued the Department of Labor, saying the rule change would have a “destabilizing impact” on the industry.

Home care workers occupy one of the fastest-growing industries yet are also among the lowest paid. Their median wage was $9.67 last year, or just over $20,000 a year, a figure that represents a 5 percent decline since 2003 when adjusted for inflation. Because they aren’t guaranteed the federal minimum wage of $7.25, many make poverty wages: nearly a third of New York City aides make less than $15,000 a year. Nearly 40 percent of the workforce makes so little that they turn to public benefits to get by.

Even minimum wage may not be enough for these workers to support themselves. They have recently joined the movement for a $15 an hour wage that was begun by fast food workers.


........................SNIP"

[shenmue]

1. Bullshit

This sucks.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Tricky deal for the elderly who may a need 24 hour presence but only light duties.

I had to provide care for both parents for many years.

I didn't use agencies, most of which kept far too high a percentage of the fees while the workers got something below minimum wage.

I have a feeling that this is a problem that will grow over the next several years.

[applegrove]

3. They'll use guest workers. America will become like

Saudi Arabia. If the right has its way.

[SheilaT]

4. This is outrageous.

The lady who lives across the street from me is a home health care worker. She struggles mightily, because even though the minimum wage here in Santa Fe is $10.51/hour (to go up to $10.66 in March), she rarely works a 40 hour week.

While she's a high school graduate, she has no further education or training, and there's not many jobs she could possibly be qualified to do. From talking with her, she really does like doing home health care and making her clients' lives better. People like her, those who work in jobs so many of us wouldn't even consider doing, these are the foundation of our society. EVERYONE deserves a living wage, not merely a minimum wage.

Plus, as has been pointed out, more and more of these workers are going to be needed as there are more and more elderly.

[daredtowork]

5. In other words...woman's work

A security guard standing around doing nothing all night would be getting his OT.

[KT2000]

6. excellent point

also, a security guard does not give heart and soul to the job. That is what is expected of a good home care worker. Those franchises by the way charge their customers overtime and over minimum wage - but they keep a lot of it.

[daredtowork]

7. Unless there is an emergency

The security guard could sit there and read Playboys all night. The companion has to give their constant attention to the person they are caring for. Thus the time and attention of women is being devalued here.

[WinkyDink]

9. And some wonder why women turn to (IMO) demeaning jobs that offer more money, sometimes right into

their thong.

[WinkyDink]

8. Oh, good. Now "care" can REALLY deteriorate for the ill, the infirm, and the demented.

[jtuck004]

10. For the people who will be caring for your parents, you, your kids one day, if all are lucky. n/t