3 Important HR Issues in Last Nights Presidential Debate - Workology

3 Important HR Issues in Last Nights Presidential Debate - Workology Theres a cluster of HR-related political issues that Ive been keeping an eye throughout the Presidential primaries and now the general election campaign: immigration, job creation, parental leave and support, and trade deals. Last night, in their first debate Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump touched on several of these but neither went into detail. Domestic policies like parental leave and other social welfare programs werent touched on, with the candidates instead focusing on big picture issues like tax cuts (or increases), the national and regional affects of international trade deals, foreign policy and defense. Even immigration, Trumps standby, took a backseat in this debate. The candidates by now well worn positions came through consistently on all of these there were no surprises to be had here, though of course there were more than a few choice zingers. Job Creation Last night Hilary Clinton touted the economic rebound the country has experienced during President Obamas tenure and said that you can expect more growth from her administration. Clinton says that her team will focus on making smart investments; rather than promising the return of manufacturing and mining jobs, she says they will work on creating jobs in developing sectors, where the economy has the most potential for growth. Clean energy, tech and health care are her go-tos for sectors with potential, which is in line with monthly Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) jobs reports showing that all of these industries are growing, where traditionally middle class sectors like manufacturing are struggling. Trump, on the other hand, says  that the best engine of job creation is not letting them leave in the first place. He pointed to the massive growth Mexican manufacturing has experienced since the start of the free trade era, and the technological refinement its industrial  centres have seen more recently. Kia and Ford have moved much of their manufacturing to Mexico and tech firms like Facebook have begun to take advantage of Mexicos competitive advantage in wages and taxes. As a result, Mexico has thriving manufacturing and tech hubs. Trump says that he will renegotiate international trade deals to prevent more American jobs being stolen by Mexico, China and other economies. He will have a very difficult time of it, indeed, if he does get the chance to reopen these complicated, multilateral agreements. Trump also said that the unemployment figures Clinton shared 4.9% unemployment and millions of jobs created since the start of the recovery are, well, wrong, and that real unemployment was much higher than she says. He didnt, however, make it clear where his suspicion comes from. The Clinton campaigns information about job growth and unemployment comes directly from the BLS and their consistently non-partisan analysis has a long history. Nevertheless, next weeks September jobs report should give both candidates new fodder. The President, though, isnt job creator in chief. Neither candidate acknowledged that much of the work a President does with respect to the economy is slow, subtle and behind the scenes. Although government can support new or struggling industries through tax breaks, hiring incentives and investment funds, it cannot guarantee their success. Powerful though the US President is, global economic trends and competitive advantages are more powerful. Trade Deals Trump emphasized, again and again, that he would take a second look at international trade deals like NAFTA and TPP, which he blames for the decline of American manufacturing. He also blamed the US trade deficit  for its current economic weakness. Clinton took a  different tack,  saying she too would take a close look at future trade deals but refuting Trumps claims that the US economy is weak. But  domestic economic struggles aside, Americas $17.95 trillion economy is  still the worlds largest, accounting for  24.5% of the gross  world product, and its trade deficits with China and Mexico dont weaken it. And although free trade treaties ease barriers on international business and trade, they dont cause all movement of business and labour. That is, NAFTA, TPP and similar deals arent the only reason that American businesses have moved operations off of American soil. Labour costs, tax rates and so many other issues including technology and the availability of suitable labour have influenced the global movement of labour and capital. Its not just Americans who are watching their economy fundamentally transform its the whole world. As Chris Mathews said at Fortune, Donald Trump’s argument that the American worker has been hurt first and foremost by two Clinton-era trade policy decisions is a vast oversimplification of the problems the U.S. economy faces. The United States would have likely faced increased competition from lower wage economies regardless of whether we accepted China’s entry into the WTO or made a trade agreement with Mexico. But the U.S. government could have done more to protect American manufacturing and improve the welfare of the working class. International trade deals are complex documents and can contain nasty surprises for even the strongest economies,  but they arent the only reason that so many Americans have moved  and will continue to move into different jobs the things that we make, sell and buy are different today than they were in 1950 or 1980, and the way that we do business, work and live our lives has changed too. And whatever trade deals the candidates pursue  the affect on American workers isnt clearcut. Simply supporting  American business doesnt guarantee the fair treatment of workers within it even in a candidates market, like the current tech industry, there are struggles between employers and employees over whats wages, benefits, work life balance and even who gets the opportunity to work. Trade deals are only part of the picture and the lack of specificity from both candidates leaves us with a big, as yet unanswerable question: just how much will these candidates  be willing to turn their backs on globalization, something theyve both championed in the past, in favour of protectionism, and what would that even look like? These kinds of trade deals have had a tremendous impact on the American economy and workplace and the job market that we in HR and recruiting operate in over the last few decades, so its an issue we should all keep a close eye on. Immigration Moderator Lester Holt didnt question the candidates about their immigration policies but were sure to hear more about their ideas in future debates. Still, we got glimpses of both Trump and Clintons stances through their comments on foreign policy, job creation and trade deals. There was no mention of Trumps famous wall or his promise to round up and deport undocumented workers, but when commenting on policing he claimed that there were gangs of illegals roaming American streets, making communities unsafe. He said  that above all, America needs law and order, and that Black and Latinx Americans are living in hell thanks to rising crime rates. On the campaign trail Trump has emphasized that undocumented workers present an economic and a security threat and that his highest priority is protecting American workers. But by most measures, American crime rates are steadily declining and long term studies dont show undocumented workers being  an outsized source of violent or property crime. Crime is of course an incredibly complex social issue, complicated by economic factors and institutional bias in policing and sentencing. The sense that immigration, whether documented or not, is a threat to the country disturbs me. Immigration has been and is a great asset to the American economy. Anti-immigration policies  are a threat to economic prosperity and would make it harder for  American businesses that rely on attracting the best talent from all over the world. And now that unauthorized immigration to the United States has levelled off at 11 million, some border states are facing a shortage of skilled and unskilled labourers. Everything from farm workers to drivers to skilled tradesmen are in short supply, which just goes to show how much American businesses have come to rely on undocumented workers. For her part, Clinton sought to reassure allies that America would continue to honour its defense and trade deals, and painted a more positive picture of  the American economy and of its communities. She emphasized institutional bias in the criminal justice system, economic inequality and the importance of creating opportunities for all Americans. But like Trump, she didnt get into the details of her policies with respect to immigration. The next debate, a town hall, will take place on October 9th. The third debate, which will have the same format as last nights, will take place on October 19.  I hope to hear more from the candidates on domestic policy and workplace issues, as well as more on their proposed immigration policies, and in the meantime, Im sure well have lots to talk about, worry about and analyze.