There is no return today. Says more about hidden regulatory and potential liability costs-of which your argument concerning bennies is a relevant part of. I happen to be an employer...10years ago with 17-currently with 5...and I only see potentially going lower.
The employer has a bullseye on their back.
And it was placed there by the government.
My original post was in support of people like you. The article's author makes it sound like the problem is with employers. The problem lies with the government: it created the mess with housing, the mess with credit, and now with hiring --- by making hiring too expensive for employers.