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13/12/24 09:52
Five years after Covid closed everything and created a remote work industry, the controversial issue reappeared prior to Trump taking office. In an unprecedented move before leaving office, Biden secured an agreement between the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and 42,000 Social Security Administration (SSA) employees to protect hybrid telework.
The Comeback Kid H
Sharon Harris prepares for the return of Donald Trump and all that it might – or might not – bring with it.
appy New Year! After a turbulent 2024, I wish you a healthy and prosperous 2025.
As you read this, Donald J. Trump will have either been sworn in on January 20 for Round Two as President or will be soon. He defied political gravity in 2024, beating all the odds - including two assassination attempts and multiple court cases - to make an unprecedented comeback.
America will surely experience a new day because of the clear dichotomy between Trump’s and President Joe Biden’s
10 JANUARY 2025
philosophy about business and almost everything else. The American electorate confirmed they want a change in direction. Biden typically favors the public sector. During their four-year term, he and Vice President/former presidential candidate Kamala Harris rarely prioritized business and private enterprise. That is no surprise since both served in public government positions throughout their careers and always got paid. Conversely, private sector industries’ fortunes rise and fall with circumstances, which always impacts employees.
Until 2029, this SSA staff will be obligated to spend only two days a week in the office. Other SSA staff must be onsite more often. Besides lacking available personnel in specific positions, the vacancy rate in taxpayer-funded federal buildings nationwide is staggering. The financial waste boggles the mind. Questioning this scenario, Trump promises to reverse Biden’s deal, going to court if necessary. I agree because those massive absences also impact the small neighborhood businesses that depend on customer traffic. Obviously, as primarily an in-person business, casinos do not enjoy that luxury. Due to the intense regulations, I wonder how many back-of-the-house employees could even work from home. Gaming floor staff and those working in other departments must be there for personal interaction.
Remember the early Covid years? Open casinos meant gaming-floor-employees wore masks and stood behind plexiglass. Five years later, both are gone.
Working onsite will become even more appealing for thousands of casino workers if Trump’s pledge to eliminate taxes on tips becomes a reality. Imagine the improved level of service once employees can keep it all and go home with more in their wallets. The road to legalization requires appropriate legislation, but is not so farfetched. Now that Virginia has three operating casinos, Governor Glenn Youngkin has already committed to including this in his state budget. He still must win consent from his state legislature, but he has the executive authority to propose it. Trump may confront a more complicated process because he needs federal Congressional approval to remove that tax nationwide.
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