Respect And Value For Workers On Labor Day
This weekend we celebrate Labor Day in the United States and Canada. Many European nations celebrate International Worker’s Day in May instead. Labor Day has its roots in worker’s unions. International Worker’s Day goes beyond unions and is connected to the Socialist and Communist movements. Although there are differences, and many find some of the roots objectionable, both holidays are about recognizing workers and employees and the work they do. Whichever holiday you celebrate, it’s about showing workers we respect and value them and the time and effort they exchange for their wages.
This recognition, at least in North America, usually takes the form of sales, barbecues, and maybe having the day off. These forms of recognition are nice, but if we really want to show our appreciation for people, shouldn’t we show them they, and their work, are valued and respected?
There are many ways we can show people they and their work have value and are respected. One of the most meaningful however, would be to let people keep all the money they earn. That’s right: abolish the income tax!
Admittedly, for most people abolishing the income tax wold be a hard sell. Let’s look at the many benefits though.
- Letting employees keep the money they earn shows them their time and effort put into their job to earn their wages is worth it. Getting to keep everything you earn would help you feel you’re getting more fairly compensated, wouldn’t it?
- When we allow people to keep all the money they earn, we show trust in them. We trust they will make good decisions with their money, whether it is saving it or spending it.
- When people decide where their money goes, it logically will not go to support things they disagree with. Currently many people, if not most people, want the military completely out of Afghanistan and Iraq. If less money is going to the government, it makes it harder to sustain wars that are expensive in both blood and treasure. Currently, the US government takes funds from it’s citizens and gives it to other countries in Foreign Aid. Many people take issue with this practice. These are just a couple examples. There are many, many more.
- More money in the control of individuals and families will increase their spending power, which will stimulate the economy.
- More money in the control of individuals and families will mean they have more ability to give to the benefit of others through charities and social organizations.
These are just a few ideas. Likely there are many more ways letting employees keep all their earnings would show them they are respected and valued. There are definitely other ways to show them they are respected and valued too.
What are some other ways you would feel respected and valued if you were able to keep everything you earn?
What are other ways that would be meaningful to show you the time and effort you give to work are appreciated, respected, and valued?
Holidays should have meaning. It’s nice to celebrate them by grilling out, having sales, and maybe having the day off from work, but are those things really meaningful? Do they add fulfillment to your life? Do they empower you and help you live your best life? If not, let’s make Labor Day, and any other holiday we can, about respect, value, and empowerment.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
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