The News Herald - Federal, State Lawmakers Working on Sick Leave Legislation

By Dave Herndon

State Rep. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), teamed with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell to talk about recently introduced legislation about earned pay and sick leave.

Geiss and Dingell are both working to pass legislation even about how sick time is earned. Both the state and federal bill call changes to how sick pay is earned for workers.

"Workers and their families deserve the security of knowing that when someone is sick -- whether it's the employee or a family member -- they won't lose a day's pay or even their job to stay home," Geiss said. "It's a matter of fairness, and I believe it will also benefit businesses, whose employees are not worried about a sick child or parent."

Danielle Atkinson of the political action group Mothering Justice moderated a panel held at Panera Bread, 23301 Eureka Road, Monday night. Also on the panel were Geiss, Dingell and Lisa Norris, a doctor with the Western Wanye Family Medical Center.

"No one should face the impossible choice between caring for themselves or a sick family member and losing a paycheck -- or their job," Dingell said. "But that's the reality for 43 million Americans who do not have a single paid sick day. It's time to bring our workplace policies into the 21st century because businesses and the economy will do better when working families are successful and can get ahead."

Locally the bill is House Bill 4167, federally the bill is House Resolution 932, or the Healthy Families Act.

HB 4167 calls for one hour earned for every 30 hours worked, regardless of employment status as full or part time.

HR 932 would allow workers in businesses with at least 15 employees to earn up to seven days of job-protected paid sick leave each year to care for themselves or a family member. People working in a business with fewer than 15 employees would be able to earn up to seven job-protected days of unpaid sick leave annually.

According to the panel, allowing workers to earn paid sick leave would address the issue of public health. Many employees go to work sick rather than forgo a day's pay, making it more likely that they will spread their illness to co-workers or customers. Paid sick leave would reduce the transmission and allow employees to rest, coming back to work healthy and more productive, according to a release from the House Democrats.

"Employers and the general public benefit when workers are healthy, but these laws' greatest asset is peace of mind," Atkinson said. "Workers, especially women, who most often bear the majority of care-giving responsibility, deserve the security of knowing they can help themselves or a loved one without fear of repercussions."

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