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Letters
to the Editor
Feb. 13, 2004 Edition
Employee
responds to letter about proposed adoptive benefits
In response to Julie Doyle’s
Letter to the Editor on Jan. 16, “Employee takes issue
with proposed adoptive benefits,” I am writing to ensure that
there isn’t an assumption of agreement with her views about
the deficiencies of these proposals. On the contrary, I feel that
the four weeks of paid leave for adoptive and birth parents is an
expensive benefit that will benefit few at the expense of many.
I am unnerved by the speed at which these proposals are progressing
and the lack of information the general employee population has
about the costs and tradeoffs of them. Nothing costs nothing. What
will need to give? Higher co-pays (for ALL) on medical visits? Higher
co-pays (for ALL) on prescription drugs? A lower salary increase
budget (for ALL) due to higher expenses?
For those wanting time off for the birth and adoption of a child,
our jobs are thankfully protected by the Family and Medical Leave
Act, which provides for 12 weeks of time off without jeopardizing
your job. In addition, paid leave is provided through an employee’s
earned time (OS) or annual leave (PAT) and sick pool (OS) or sick
leave and/or interim disability (PAT). Though the sick leave/interim
disability or sick pool, and (optionally purchased) short-term disability
(STD), benefits apply only to those who give birth, it is absurd
to me that someone who doesn’t give birth would feel entitled
to an equivalent amount of paid time off.
This is MEDICAL time, not “time with the new baby” time.
Last I knew, most pregnancies (and all adoptions) of employees on
this campus are by choice. The entitlement attitude of those who
enter into these situations voluntarily and then expect paid time
off beyond what they have accrued and planned for, dismays me.
Before we all just float along and let these proposals pass with
a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, let’s be sure we understand
what the tradeoffs will be. Since nothing is free, I want to be
sure that the costs don’t outweigh the benefits before proposals
of this nature are supported.
Stephanie Higgs, office manager, UNH Counseling Center
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