NFIB

Imagine if it was lawful for an employee to show up late for work every day and use federally guaranteed paid sick leave as protection from any recourse by an employer? While it is difficult to fathom such a scenario, this hypothetical may soon become reality unless you give your small business a voice at your next congressional town hall meeting.

As you may know, many members of Congress will use the upcoming winter break to travel back to their districts to engage in a series of town hall meetings with their constituents. A town hall meeting is a perfect time for you as a small-business owner to convey your policy views to your representative without having to compete with the everyday political pressures and demands of Washington.

Sometimes it takes hundreds or even thousands of emails, faxes, letters or phone calls to the office of a member of Congress about an issue before that member will take notice and place it on his or her political agenda. While issue campaigns that bombard offices with communications can certainly be very effective, two or three people voicing their opinion to a member of Congress at a town hall meeting can be equally, if not more, effective.

Over the next few months, Congress will be considering and debating legislation that, if passed, will have negative affects on small business. Particularly troublesome is S. 910, the Healthy Families Act of 2007, which mandates small businesses that employ 15 or more workers provide each employee with seven days of paid sick leave. This mandate goes so far as permitting employees to take leave in increments as small as six minutes without documentation (like a doctor's note) or prior notice, and be entitled to the leave almost immediately.

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this prime opportunity to sit down with your representative and express to him or her that the government should not have the right to dictate the benefit package you offer your employees, but rather you and your employees know best how to shape the benefits that correspond to your workplace needs and your bottom line.

Here are a few tips for taking advantage of this unique chance to influence the political process:

• Tell a personal story: Tell your representative a first-hand account of the impact that a policy is having on your small business.
• Go in groups: Rally a group of your fellow small-business owners to attend. Simply put, politics is a numbers game, and lawmakers want to play on the side that can yield them the most votes on Election Day.
• Talk to staff: Congressional staff is very influential in the policymaking process. Be proactive by approaching staff to tell them your story and ask questions.
• Leave a document: Any documents passed to state-based staff will likely be faxed to the legislative assistant in Washington who covers the issue.
• Follow up politely: Take the initiative to follow up with your representative. But remember that congressional offices are often overworked, and it is likely that an individual may not follow up with you until a few weeks after the meeting.
• Be persistent: If you continue to show your presence at town hall meetings, your representative must take time to deal with you (even if it is to avoid an uncomfortable encounter at a future town hall meeting).
• Remind your member of Congress that you VOTE based on the issues affecting your business.

Remember that your lawmakers were elected to represent your interests, and town hall meetings are key forums for NFIB members to reiterate the fundamental role that small businesses play at home and nation-wide.