California

Pros and Cons of Furloughs

Mckenzee McCammack

The State Department of Education decided to enact furlough days for their employees. This means that teachers and administrators are required to go to work unpaid for a certain number of days per year. While this seems unfair, many employees just take them as unpaid vacation. However, furlough days are not supposed to be a form of punishment, but instead a way to balance out the budget without having to fire employees. This idea has been replicated by Governor Schwarzenegger who has tried to implement those same furlough days on governmental employees. This included "furlough Fridays" which means that the government would close all governmental offices. These days have allowed for an overall savings of $61 million per day, with a total of $3 billion so far. There was even a discussion of adding an additional day per month for unpaid vacation, making about a 5% decrease in overall pay for each government employee. However, when the furlough days ended in June 30, Schwarzenegger attempted to restart furlough days in August, even though lawmakers haven't produced a budget. Now, the Supreme Court is getting involved to determine the constitutionality of these unpaid days. It is expected that the courts will determine the furloughs constitutional but under "narrowly defined" circumstances.

Pro:

• The government will receive $3 billion to pour into more necessary programs.
• Government workers will be able to take more days off without repercussion.
• More governmental income can help settle the budget quicker.
• The court decision will determine the constitutionality of furlough days and settle 40+ lawsuits since the 2008 start of furlough days.

Cons:

• 5% decrease in pay for over 200,000 governmental employees.
• Expected lawsuits.
• Potential improper use of the $3 billion that results from the furlough days.
• Detriment to private businesses that depend on governmental organizations (i.e. process servers, attorneys, ect.)

• Court Ruling Update: The court ruled Monday, October 4th that the Governor's furlough days for state employees are constitutional; and therefore, the third furlough day per month that was suggested by Governor Schwarzenegger is now enacted but only to those who work in the executive branch of the state's government.

Additional Reading:

http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2585238/posts

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/08/3012050/furloughs-get-their-day-in-court.html