Bill Would Guarantee Up to 7 Paid Sick Days

New York Times ^ | May 15, 2009 | Steven Greenhouse

[reaganaut1]

A long-stalled effort to guarantee American workers paid sick days takes a big step forward Monday with the introduction of legislation by Congressional Democrats.

The proposal went nowhere during the presidency of George W. Bush, but as a senator and then a presidential candidate, Barack Obama backed it, and Michelle Obama embraced the idea last week in a talk to business leaders.

Now women’s groups, labor unions and other supporters are voicing optimism about its prospects.

“The last eight years, you kept clawing and scratching and didn’t get anywhere, but we have a real opportunity now,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, who along with Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts will introduce the measure. “There’s something wrong when people have to choose between their jobs and taking care of themselves or their families when someone is sick.”

Business groups are vowing to block the legislation, arguing that the recession makes this an inopportune time to create a new mandate that they say would raise costs for employers.

“Given that small businesses are barely able to keep their heads above water in this economy, we don’t think this is the right legislation to be pushing right now,” said Susan Eckerly, senior vice president at the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small-business owners.

Supporters, on the other hand, say the legislation is especially timely now, given the swine flu epidemic.

The bill, the Healthy Families Act, would be binding on employers that had 15 or more workers. It would guarantee employees one paid hour off for each 30 hours worked, enabling them to earn up to seven paid sick days a year. They would be entitled to claim their days when they or a child, a parent, a spouse or someone else close to them became ill.

[reaganaut1]

Here's a list of things the Dems have already done to discourage hiring:

(1) Make it easier for employees to sue for discrimination -- the "Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act".

(2) Push for card check and mandatory arbitration. With Specter now a Dem, they may get it.

(3) Take no action to delay the increase in the minimum wage to $7.25 in July of this year.

(4) Proposed an employer mandate in their drive for universal coverage.

How high do they want unemployment to go? This will poll well, and although I hope the Republicans oppose it, I'm not sure they should try to filibuster it.

[Chet 99]

It is funny how employees who get paid to be sick get sick a lot, while employers who lose money if they’re sick manage to tough it out through bouts of the sniffles.

[stripes1776]

you kept clawing and scratching

Ya, I think that describes a Democrat very well--clawing and scratching.

[EyeGuy]

As an employer if this is forced upon me, I will immediately hand a document to each of my employees detailing the cost of 7 full days at their hourly wage and explain that this coerced cost to me will be deducted from any future planned pay increses.

They can think about THAT the next time they vote.

[conservative cat]

It is funny how employees who get paid to be sick get sick a lot, while employers who lose money if they’re sick manage to tough it out through bouts of the sniffles.

They don't if the employer lets them bank all of or part of the hours in a retirement account.

A lot of those people without paid sick time have customer contact and/or food service jobs. Yeah, I really want THEM sick. I am against the mandates, though.

[yorkie01]

It’s interesting they want paid sick leave when so many on the left are already on the dole.

[Man50D]

Call, email, fax or write your politicians to oppose this socialist bill!! We are building momentum so keep up the pressure!! Let's keep the ball rolling!! Toll free capital switchboard numbers are below.

800-828-0498

877-762-8762

[Man50D]

How high do they want unemployment to go?

High enough to make a majority dependent on the federal government for their existence thereby expanding socialism.

[wastedpotential]

what defines a sick day? Ever since last November, I haven’t been feeling well ......

[Homer1]

and the H1B Visas win another round. Congress seems determined to make the American workers uncompetitive...

[2ndDivisionVet]

Someone please show me where in the Constitution that it allows Congress to mandate pay, benefits or any other aspect of an employment contract. Buehler? Buehler?

[adm5]

The bill, the Healthy Families Act, would be binding on employers that had 15 or more workers. It would guarantee employees one paid hour off for each 30 hours worked, enabling them to earn up to seven paid sick days a year. They would be entitled to claim their days when they or a child, a parent, a spouse or someone else close to them became ill.

As a small business owner with less than 15 employees (13), I guess that means if conditions ever turn around, I'll never be able to bring on more employees and in turn I'll never be able to expand my business. Both of these things create additional tax revenues at the local, state and federal level.

These people truly are morons.

[keepitreal]

Keep it up congress. Soon you will only have the bones left on the American small business to suck the marrow from.

[Frank_2001]

Watch what happens to the unemployment rate when small businesses decide to make do with 14 or fewer employees;)

[elpadre]

Business and industry had better get on their high horse and start countering the anti-business steamroller in Congress and the WH. Much of the money putting these lefty politicians in office came from them, the record is clear. Tightening the purse strings might cause them to rethink their anti-capitalistic actions.

[oldpass]

need to add:

Raising taxes, every dollar to gvt is one that can’t go to payroll.

No energy policy, cap and trade is an energy tax

No health care reform, just adding tax on benefits

Stealing from secured creditors will make borrowing much
more expensive for everyone else.

[baltodog]

Wow.
You guys must really be against Healthy Families.
What a bunch of heartless, greedy, businessmen.

(sarcasm)

[keepitreal]

I know what you mean. We’re on the cusp too. It’s coming to the point where we think to ourselves “why bother”. We’re a third-generation business, and do not see any of the opportunities the parents/grandparents who started had to build a good financial future. Basically we now work for wages, while government mandates suck a bigger portion of our gross profits each year.

[Frank_2001]

“Someone please show me where in the Constitution that it allows Congress to mandate pay, benefits or any other aspect of an employment contract.”

Nowhere, but do you honestly think that matters to a Communist? Now on the other hand, the Constitution of the USSR probably mandated very generous benefits!/s

[lmr]

Those companies that could barely afford to give their employees a vacation week or two every year would probably drop the vacation and just use this in it’s place. Many things employees are used to getting would be in jeopardy to pay for this stupidity, as well, including 401K’s.