12-1. How might the increasing diversity of the workforce affect the design of employee benefits packages in large companies?

12-2. Paid time off (PTO) policies pool vacation, sick leave, personal days, and floating holidays into a bank of days that employees can have for personal use. Normally, the use of one of these days requires notification of the supervisor in advance. However, PTO can also be used for unplanned reasons, such as sickness and emergencies. Suppose an employee feels he or she needs a “mental health” day and calls in sick to the supervisor in order to use a PTO day to avoid the routine of going to work that day. What are the ethics and consequences of using a PTO day this way? What would you do if you were the manager?

12-3. Why should younger employees (those in their 20s and 30s) care about retirement benefits?

12-4. Only a small percentage of part-time and temporary employees in the United States receive health insurance and retirement benefits compared to employees with full-time jobs. How serious a problem is this? Which people do you think are most likely to be affected by this lack of benefits coverage? What, if anything, can be done about this situation?

12-5. Some benefits experts claim that unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation benefits create a disincentive to work. Why do you think they say this? Do you agree or disagree with this position?