Pathways to happiness are tools for policy makers seeking the secure the right to the pursuit of happiness. This tool addresses the aspect of satisfaction with work that is due to a sense of being paid appropriately. Other policies to address other areas can be found at http://www.happycounts.org/happiness-policies.html

1. Pathways to Happiness
for work
appropriate pay

2. Pathways to Happiness are ways
to improve working conditions
in terms of
being paid
appropriately

3. Pathways to Happiness are ways
to improve working conditions
in terms of
being paid
appropriately

4. Our
scores in
the
domain of
work
indicate
we are
overall
somewhat
satisfied
100= happiest

5. Overall, we neither
agree nor disagree
that we are paid
appropriately.
a score between 40- 60 means we feel indifferently, between 60-80 means we agree that we are paid appropriately

6. 2Courageous
Policies

7. Reintroduce Progressive Tax Rates
US tax rates are the lowest in history and the rich-poor gap has increased over
time.
In the 1950’s, a prosperous time for all income classes in the US, the top marginal
tax rates were 91%, the effective rates for the top 1% was about 70%, and
corporate rates were 50%.

8. Resources for Progressive Tax Rates
White Paper:
Reforming Taxation to Promote Growth and Equity by J. Stiglitz
http://rooseveltinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Stiglitz_Reforming_Taxation_White_Paper_Roosevelt_Inst
History of Tax Rates:
Federal Income Tax Brackets and Maximum Tax Rates: 1950-1980
https://web.stanford.edu/class/polisci120a/immigration/Federal%20Tax%20Brackets.pdf
U.S. Federal Individual Income Tax Rates History, 1862-2013 (Nominal and Inflation-Adjusted
Brackets)
https://taxfoundation.org/us-federal-individual-income-tax-rates-history-1913-2013-nominal-and-inflation-adjusted-brackets/

9. Promotion of Worker Councils
Worker councils are groups of workers (not managers) who represent the workers
and meet with managers to discuss and negotiate specifics of labor conditions,
including pay and benefits.
Worker councils are elected by workers or appointed by a company’s board of
directors.
Worker councils also help to reduce conflict through communication channels and
represent workers in the formation of public policy, laws and regulations.

10. Resources for Promotion of Worker
Councils
Article:
Should works councils be used as industrial relations policy? by R. Adams
https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1985/07/art4full.pdf
Op-ed:
The Volkswagen way to better labor-management relations by M. Finkin and T.
Kochan
http://articles.latimes.com/2014/jan/20/opinion/la-oe-finkin-vw-work-councils-20140120
Example Worker Council Policy Framework:
European Union Directive 2002/14/EC establishing a general framework for informing and
consulting employees in the European Community
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1497141683067&uri=CELEX:32002L0014

11. What’s it going to take?

12. Taking equality seriously
Understanding and undermining the institutional bias,
racism, classism and prejudices in ourselves and in our
systems.

13. Keeping the Occupy Conversation
Alive
Seeing and talking about the history of corporate scandals and
government use of tax payer money to bailout banks and other big
business.
Refusing to see Occupy as a failed event, but part of a movement
for economic reform.

14. Other policies in the Pathways to Happiness tool series
Campaign finance reform
Guaranteed basic income
Media reform
Massive public transportation
Local food reliance
Village living (cities and rural)
Multi-use zoning
Public spaces
Political festivals
Participatory governance
Participatory budgeting
Anti-corruption policies
Transparency in government
Compassion training for police
Community-based monitoring
Sousveillance
Vote holiday
Department of Neighborhoods
Volunteer programs
Conservation Easements
Expansion of Parks
Adult & Kid Park Programs
Parent Support Program
Self-Discovery Programs
Job Placement Programs
Urban Growth Boundary Ordinances
Urban Stream Daylighting
Green and Living building ordinances
Solar and Green Energy Development
Investing in Engagement in Community
Centers and Parks
Ordinances to Encourage and Reward
Urban Agriculture
Comprehensive Plans for Walkable Cities &
Towns
Encourage and Support Street Vendors
Bike Friendly Cities & Towns
Increase and Preserve Green Cover
Promotion of Cooperative Corporate
formation
Use of Blockchain & policy to support it
Promote Worker Councils
Vacation laws
Family & Sick leave laws
Flex time and job share laws
Telecommuting policies
Babies at work policies
Intergenerational care
Same Sex Marriage Laws
Public child care
Age-friendly cities
Loneliness awareness campaign
Heritage Programs
Rural Colleges
Arts & Culture Policy
Lifelong Learning Programs
War on Adult illiteracy
Low Cost & Tuition Free College
Mindfulness practice in schools
Social justice awareness raising
Mental health –priority counseling
Part time worker choice protection
Compassionate Charter & Games
Ban on Advertising to Children
Elimination of Food Deserts
Zero Waste Restaurant and Supermarket
Limits on Rates Charged by Credit Card
Companies
College Loan Forgiveness
Savings Tax Incentives for Low and Middle
Income
Promoting and Providing Personal
Holidays
Raise Awareness About the Importance of
Sleep

15. We envision a world where all beings can thrive.
Can you envision it too?
happycounts.org