Persuasive Speech

I was really busy until last midnight. I had to give a speech for 10minutes for my public speaking class, a quiz about 100 page-article for the Chinese literature class, another assignment to read 40 page-article for human resource class and expository essay for my writing class due midnight. So, I could not go outside for three days consecutively during weekend and finally finish every thing last night 11:50pm. There is always a crazy busy period during schooling, and I think it was one of them. Maybe I should stay outside for this weekend to cool down my brain. By the way, I liked my persuasive speech paper even though my speech was not that good. It was 10 minute-speech and I felt so thirsty so I could not pronouce clearly. It took three days to write this paper. I regretted why i picked this topic, but it was interesting on the process of writing. My topic was "Ligalization of Paid Parental Leave" in the United States, which was kind of related to my major, human resources. I was surprised parental leave in the United States have not been developed well than I thought. (I'm not comparing with Asian countries, but with other developmed countries when it comes to welfare system) I left one more speech for my public speaking classs, ceremonial speech. It was nice to decide to take this class. Maybe I have to pay more attention to give a speech in the next time.

Legalization of Paid Parental Leave

Annually 21 developed countries carry out research on the national policies including welfare policies to compare each country’s policies and improve them. In this research of 2008, “the United States was ranked 20th country in terms of ‘paid parental leave for both parents’ out of 21 countries with guaranteeing 24 weeks unpaid parental leave. Although Switzerland was recorded the last country of this data with 10 weeks less than United States, it turned out Switzerland offered 80% of full earning for paid parental leave. The present U.S. law defines that ‘American employees are allowed 12 weeks unpaid leave in relation to childbirth and childrearing under the Family and Medical Leave Act’ (Jackson, Schuler, and Werner 124). There were only two countries which did not provide paid parental leave among 21 countries, and the United States was one of the two countries” (Ray, Gornick and Schimitt 6) The data shows that parental leave policy in the United States is at the bottom level in developed countries. The existing parental leave law does not ensure parents enough duration as well as enough economic benefits. As a result, I argue that Congress should pass the paid parental leave law, which gives parents three consecutive months off annually because it is advantageous for families, companies and society.

Prior to my argument, it is necessary to have a clear definition of this plan. Parental leave here limits either of parents, and single fathers and mothers can use three consecutive months by themselves with a one-year before notification. The amount of paid parental leave consists of a minimum flat rate and it covers all employees regardless of position until their youngest child reaches the age of compulsory education. The employees who don’t want to use the paid parental leave can give up the right with a one-year before notification.

There are advantages of paid parental leave in families, companies and society to support legalization of paid parental leave. To begin with, paid parental leave is beneficial for the family economically and educationally. According to the current law, working parents are not provided any financial support and many parents return their leaves before the required time because the more they use parental leave, the more they don’t get paid. Moreover, parents cannot make an efficient plan to reduce childcare costs with 12 weeks parental leave which does not specify a certain consecutive period. If paid parental leave is legalized, parents can not only supply money for basic living expenses but also make an economic plan for childcare costs such as baby sitters, housemaids and childcare facilities. Furthermore, childhood is the most important period for children. Carollee Howes, the professor of education at the University of California says that “childhood education is likely to affect on children’s social, cognitive and language development” (Helburn and Howes 62). Parents will be able to observe the growing process of their children and help them to build up the right characteristics by every consecutive month of paid parental leave until the children enter elementary schools.

Paid parental leave also can have a positive effect on companies as a way to be cost-effective. One aspect is that a lot of companies have difficulties in decreasing turnover rate. “High turnover means not only the loss of competent employees but also the high costs of recruiting, retraining and mistakes by new employees” (Pinkovitz, Moskal, and Green). And it is not surprising that competitive female employees consider departure to other companies which guarantee better condition for childrearing, or they consider resignation to find a job like a freelancer after they give birth. Considering the costs of turnover and random leaves caused by childcare, paid parental leave will be an effective way to reduce long-term expenses in the company. In addition, companies can save money by using internships as another way of recruiting during three month-paid parental leave. Internships are an effective way to hire new employees both companies and job applicants. Companies can verify potential employees by internship whether they are eligible for the company or not, and job applicants also can confirm whether the company is fit for them or not. Therefore, companies could use three month-paid parental leaves as another chance to cut expenses, not as another regulation to make companies suffer a loss.

The last advantage of paid parental leave is that it will make a better society by reforming the welfare system in the United States. As stated above, the welfare system in the United States lags far behind other developed countries. The United States is the most developed country in the world in terms of economy. Yet, the government has not provided employees with sufficient welfare benefits though employees have made steady efforts to increase the economic development in the United States. Paid parental leave will be a good starting point to improve the welfare system in the United States. In addition, paid parental leave is advantageous to make the equality of both sexes in the workplace. According to the labor force statistics from the current population survey, “female employee rates of the United States has been increased from 30% in 1950’s to 60% in 2000’s” Although the rate of female employees is an unprecedented high figure, the welfare system does not meet the standards of a western industrialized country. If Congress approves paid parental leave, it will be helpful for making better working conditions in which female employees can show their abilities on the job.

Although there are many economic and welfare advantages of paid parental leave, some people call this plan into question. The largest concern is where the money for paid parental leave will be raised. Most of countries which already have fulfilled the paid parental leave supply money through “overall taxation rates” and “social insurance fund” (Ray, Gornick and Schimitt 16). The important point is the paid parental leave assigns expenses to society, not a company. As a result, employers don’t have to be concerned about inability to pay and employees also don’t have to feel guilty about using required parental leave. It is true that tax increases within narrow limits will be imposed on individuals and companies like an income tax, however people have to consider the opposite costs which is used by not having paid parental leave such as childcare costs, random leave costs in the company and intangible costs like better working conditions.

The next concern is who will be the eligible employees for paid parental leave. Temporary employees and single employees are the major subjects of controversy. A certain period of working time for temporary employees is required in order to use the benefit. For example, “in France, parents are obliged to work at least one year for paid parental leave. In Sweden, the government also regulates the minimum working period, 240 days, for using paid parental leave” (Ray, Gornick and Schimitt 19). The United States Congress could standardize the required period according to the industry. In addition, single employees might demur at paid parental leave. However, paid parental leave could be applied at a flat rate pay which does not include bonuses, insurance and compensation. It means single employees would be paid at least more than employees who use paid parental leave. Furthermore, paid parental leave should be dealt with as a welfare policy, not as wage discrimination.

In conclusion, advantages of paid parental leave will have a positive effect on families, companies and society in the United States. There are some concerns about increasing taxation and the range of eligible employees for paid parental leave. However, the taxation caused by paid parental leave will not create significant economic burden to families and companies, because it will be distributed to overall society. Furthermore, paid parental leave should be discussed as a welfare issue that we should figure out one day, not as a profitability issue. The fact that 19 out of 21 countries already have enacted paid parental leave shows its realistic possibility in the United States. If a law is a tool for people, the tool should be used for human happiness. Congress should make a useable law which more people can use effectively. The legalization of paid parental law will be the genuine tool not only making better working conditions but also providing invaluable family time.

Work Cited
Helburn, Suzanne W., and Howes Carollee. “Child Care Cost and Quality” The Future of Children 6.2 (1996). 4 April. 2009
Jackson, Randall S, and Steve Werner. Managing Human Resources. 10th ed. Ohio: South
Western Cengage Lerning, 2009.
“Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey.” Chart. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 4 April. 2009 .
Pinkovitz, Joseph, and Gary Green. “How Much Does Your Employee Turnover Cost?” Abbotts Labor Link (2001). 4 April. 2009
Ray, Janet C, and John Schmitt. “Parental Leave Policies in 21 Countries Assessing Generosity and Gender Equality” Center For Economic and Policy Research (2008). 3 April. 2009 .