The Biden administration has just announced a comprehensive and far-reaching executive order intended to improve care for all Americans. The order comprises a total of 50 directives aimed at nearly every cabinet-level federal agency, including the Departments of Defense and Education, Veterans Affairs, and the Office of Personnel Management.
The order seeks to improve working conditions and wages for myriad care providers, such as home care workers and early childhood educators as well as promote affordability and accessibility of care for all working Americans. This is especially welcome news for home care providers, who experience little job security, outright wage theft, and poor working conditions. It also has the potential to alleviate childcare pressures which have only increased since the outset of the pandemic.
Another facet of this order, which has significant ramifications for our practice and area of expertise is the directive aimed at the Department of Labor, which is being tasked with creating a sample contract for home care providers. This contract will enumerate both parties’ rights and responsibilities, allowing them to understand and more effectively comply with the law.