A huge chasm exists between business reality and ideal scenarios. Yes, we are referring to Allegheny County's proposed 18-week paid leave policy.
Every parent would love those 18 weeks with their newborn or newly adopted child. It is the best plan for everyone except the small business owner who would have to pay two people to handle one job for that extended period of time.
In corporate America, when someone takes extended time off, there are plenty of capable people to pick up the slack. Often you don't even notice they are gone. That's not how it works when someone with a vital role isn't there in a small business.
Since churches, universities and hospitals in Allegheny County do not pay taxes, the county needs to do everything it can to attract businesses.
This policy is not business friendly.
An executive director of a county EMS station tells Colin Dunlap this could cripple the 32 ambulance services in the county. They can't cut services or charge more for their services.
The county is already bracing for economic insolvency, shuttering small businesses or forcing them to move to a surrounding county is certainly not the answer and that's exactly what the 18 week paid leave policy will do.
