In the words of Governor Leavitt, "Our economy is prosperous when quality jobs are available statewide." To achieve that end, Governor Leavitt has identified three major strategies:

• Invest in people;
• Develop Utah as a center for technology investment, employment and entrepreneurship; and
• Enhance life quality

      This Policy Paper details the Labor Commission's support of Governor Leavitt's 1000-Day Economic Plan to achieve a prosperous economy.

I. THE ROLE OF THE UTAH LABOR COMMISSION

The Utah Labor Commission deals with the world of work--one of the fundamental aspects of life and a key to a healthy, prosperous state. The Utah workplace is changing with breathtaking speed.

• More and more work involves collecting, digesting and disseminating knowledge. In 1950, 50% of us were manual workers. By 1993, manual workers accounted for only 25% of the workforce. There are few purely physical jobs left.
• The way we work is changing. Technological tools allow us to work anywhere, anytime. Traditional office settings and "8-to-5" work schedule are being replaced with other arrangements.
• The workforce is changing. There have been striking demographic movements involving African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and women. The generation of "baby boomers" is moving toward retirement. Each of these demographic forces is reflected in Utah's workforce.
  

• The Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD) enforces employment standards and prohibitions against discrimination in housing and employment.

• The Industrial Accidents Division administers Utah's workers' compensation system.

• The Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division (UOSH) provides safety and health assistance to workers and employers through consultive services and enforcement inspections.

• The Safety Division inspects boiler/pressure vessels and elevators for safe operation, and certifies mining operators.

The Utah Labor Commission, acting within its areas of responsibility, has developed the following 1000-Day Plan consistent with Governor Leavitt's strategies for Utah's economic success.

A. Invest in people

1. Workplace Safety protects Utah's investment in its people. Utah employers, workers and the State itself have an enormous shared investment in the education and skills that allow workers to perform their jobs. This hard-won and expensive knowledge is placed at risk every day by the threat of workplace injuries and disease.

The Commission's UOSH and Safety divisions will protect our investment in Utah's skilled and educated workforce by assisting employers and employees in making the workplace safe.

2. The Workers' Compensation system invests in rehabilitation and retraining in order to return injured workers to productive employment.

Despite being injured, workers often retain valuable education and skills that are needed by employers. The Industrial Accidents Division will encourage rehabilitative and adaptive measures by employers and injured workers so that injured workers can return to productive employment, thereby contributing to their own economic well-being, the success of their employers and the overall economic vitality of Utah.

3. Commission employees, with years of training and experience, are a valuable asset to the State of Utah. The Commission will invest in its own employees by offering flexibility, training and advancement whenever appropriate.

B. Develop Utah as a center for technology investment, employment and entrepreneurship

1. Regulatory philosophy can encourage technology investment, employment and entrepreneurship. Because high-tech and entrepreneurial enterprises organize their work and workforce in different ways, the Commission will:

• exercise regulatory authority in a way that removes unnecessary stumbling blocks from innovation;
• recommend appropriate legislation to modernize statutes dealing with workplace issues;
• provide mediation services to assist employers and employees in settling employment disputes themselves;
• when mediation is unsuccessful, promptly and consistently adjudicate workplace disputes so the parties can devote their energies to business, rather than litigation.

2. The Commission will encourage use of technology in its own operations.

• In an environment where "8-to-5" office hours are being challenged by electronic technology and entrepreneurial innovation, the Labor Commission will match such changes by offering its services electronically around the clock, every day.
• By moving toward an electronic environment for doing business, the Labor Commission will add to the momentum that already exists in Utah for a "tech-savvy" business environment.
  

1. As Governor Leavitt has noted, "In the information age, talent is king. . . And people with talent can live anywhere they want. They will choose places with life quality."

2. Talented people come from all races, genders, nations and ages. They may have disabilities. But their much-needed talents will enable them to choose a community where they and their families are treated with respect and judged according to their abilities. UALD will work to educate the Utah community about the importance of diversity. UALD will promptly and fairly investigate complaints of unlawful employment and housing discrimination.

3. We spend a large part of our lives at work. Obviously, a workplace that is safe and healthy is essential to a good quality of life. UOSH and the Safety Division will provide consultive and inspection services to improve the safety and quality of the work environment.

III. Summary

Utah's prosperity is defined in terms of business success and the creation of quality jobs throughout the state. As the state agency most directly involved in relations between employers and employees, the Labor Commission helps to set the stage on which economic success will occur. The Commission's 1000-Day Plan can be summarized as follows:

1. Use workplace safety to protect Utah's investment in its skilled and educated workforce. Use the workers' compensation system to encourage investment in the rehabilitation of injured workers.

2. Continue a philosophy, backed by regulatory and adjudicative action, relying on flexibility, fairness and efficiency to create an environment that supports the growth and development of business.

3. Apply the persuasive and investigative tools of Utah's Antidiscrimination Act and Fair Housing Act to encourage a community that respects and welcomes the diversity that can contribute to Utah's success. Likewise, apply workplace safety tools to promote the quality of life in the workplace.

Milestone Update

Governor Leavitt's 1000 Day Plan