Pathways to Happiness

for work

appropriate pay

Pathways to Happiness are ways

to improve working conditions

in terms of

being paid appropriately

Pathways to Happiness are ways

to improve working conditions

in terms of

being paid appropriately

Our scores in

the domain of

work indicate we are overall

somewhat satisfied

100= happiest

Overall, we neither agree nor disagree that we are paid appropriately.

a score between 40- 60 means we feel indifferently, between 60-80 means we agree that we are paid appropriately

2Courageous Policies

Reintroduce Progressive Tax Rates

US tax rates are the lowest in history and the rich-poor gap has increased over time.

In the 1950’s, a prosperous time for all income classes in the US, the top marginal tax rates were 91%, the effective rates for the top 1% was about 70%, and corporate rates were 50%.

Resources for Progressive Tax Rates

White Paper: Reforming Taxation to Promote Growth and Equity by J. Stiglitzhttp://rooseveltinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Stiglitz_Reforming_Taxation_White_Paper_Roosevelt_Inst

History of Tax Rates: Federal Income Tax Brackets and Maximum Tax Rates: 1950-1980https://web.stanford.edu/class/polisci120a/immigration/Federal%20Tax%20Brackets.pdf

U.S. Federal Individual Income Tax Rates History, 1862-2013 (Nominal and Inflation-Adjusted Brackets)https://taxfoundation.org/us-federal-individual-income-tax-rates-history-1913-2013-nominal-and-inflation-adjusted-brackets/

Promotion of Worker Councils

Worker councils are groups of workers (not managers) who represent the workers and meet with managers to discuss and negotiate specifics of labor conditions, including pay and benefits.

Worker councils are elected by workers or appointed by a company’s board of directors.

Worker councils also help to reduce conflict through communication channels and represent workers in the formation of public policy, laws and regulations.

Resources for Promotion of Worker Councils

Article: Should works councils be used as industrial relations policy? by R. Adamshttps://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1985/07/art4full.pdf

Op-ed:The Volkswagen way to better labor-management relations by M. Finkin and T. Kochanhttp://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/20/opinion/la-oe-finkin-vw-work-councils-20140120

Example Worker Council Policy Framework: European Union Directive 2002/14/EC establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Communityhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1497141683067&uri=CELEX:32002L0014

What’s it going to take?

Taking equality seriously

Understanding and undermining the institutional bias, racism, classism and prejudices in ourselves and in our systems.

Keeping the Occupy Conversation Alive

Seeing and talking about the history of corporate scandals and government use of tax payer money to bailout banks and other big business.

Refusing to see Occupy as a failed event, but part of a movement for economic reform.

Other policies in the Pathways to Happiness tool seriesCampaign finance reformGuaranteed basic income

Media reformMassive public transportation

Local food relianceVillage living (cities and rural)

Multi-use zoningPublic spaces

Political festivalsParticipatory governance

Participatory budgetingAnti-corruption policies

Transparency in governmentCompassion training for policeCommunity-based monitoring

Sousveillance Vote holiday

Department of NeighborhoodsVolunteer programs

Conservation EasementsExpansion of Parks

Adult & Kid Park ProgramsParent Support ProgramSelf-Discovery ProgramsJob Placement Programs

Urban Growth Boundary OrdinancesUrban Stream Daylighting

Green and Living building ordinancesSolar and Green Energy Development

Investing in Engagement in Community Centers and Parks

Ordinances to Encourage and Reward Urban Agriculture

Comprehensive Plans for Walkable Cities & Towns

Encourage and Support Street VendorsBike Friendly Cities & Towns

Increase and Preserve Green Cover

Promotion of Cooperative Corporate formation

Use of Blockchain & policy to support itPromote Worker Councils

Vacation lawsFamily & Sick leave laws

Flex time and job share lawsTelecommuting policiesBabies at work policiesIntergenerational care

Same Sex Marriage LawsPublic child care

Age-friendly citiesLoneliness awareness campaign

Heritage ProgramsRural Colleges

Arts & Culture PolicyLifelong Learning Programs

War on Adult illiteracyLow Cost & Tuition Free CollegeMindfulness practice in schoolsSocial justice awareness raising

Mental health –priority counselingPart time worker choice protection

Compassionate Charter & GamesBan on Advertising to Children

Elimination of Food DesertsZero Waste Restaurant and Supermarket

Limits on Rates Charged by Credit Card Companies

College Loan ForgivenessSavings Tax Incentives for Low and Middle

IncomePromoting and Providing Personal

HolidaysRaise Awareness About the Importance of

Sleep

We envision a world where all beings can thrive.

Can you envision it too?happycounts.org