Trump, Harris Present Divergent Employment Policies for 2024

As the 2024 US presidential campaign progresses, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris offer contrasting employment policies. Trump has focused on limiting DEI training and enforcing strict immigration controls, while Harris, with support from running mate Tim Walz, advocates for stronger labor protections and paid family leave. Their differing stances are likely to influence workforce policies and employer strategies significantly, reports HR Dive.

During his presidency, Trump implemented restrictions on diversity and inclusion training for federal employees and contractors. His approach to immigration involved significant restrictions, which many employers felt hindered hiring efforts. Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, views trade and immigration as interconnected, suggesting that trade leads to outsourcing and immigration impacts labor costs.

Trump’s job creation strategy focused primarily on manufacturing, but economists noted limited success in this area. Labor organizations, including the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) criticized Trump’s tenure for not fulfilling labor promises. The National Labor Relations Board, under his administration, made it easier for employers to dismantle unions and limited workers' organizing rights. Vance recently co-sponsored the Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act of 2024, aiming to provide employees with voluntary negotiation opportunities with employers.

In contrast, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has supported diversity efforts and signed a state pay transparency mandate. Harris has campaigned for addressing the root causes of migration and has partnered with major corporations to tackle this issue. As California’s attorney general, she targeted transnational crime and wage theft affecting immigrant workers.

Harris has received endorsements from several union leaders, including the United Auto Workers and the American Federation of Teachers. Walz’s support for organized labor is reflected in legislation that bans non-compete agreements and limits captive audience meetings. Regarding paid leave, Harris supported a six-month paid family leave mandate in 2019. Walz’s proposal, should Democrats win the presidency and Congress, includes implementing paid family and medical leave nationwide.