Assembly Approves Paid Sick Leave

On May 28, the California Assembly passed legislation that would make the state the first in the nation to ensure at least a week of paid sick leave for all workers.

Paid sick days could be used for a personal illness, to care for a sick family member, or to recover from domestic violence or sexual assault.

Nearly six million working Californians, or about 40% of the workforce, currently receive no paid sick days through their employers. Assembly woman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, said her Assembly Bill 2716 would protect those who are forced to choose between working while sick or losing pay.

"(It's) a win-win for workers and employers alike and is an important part of maintaining a healthy economy here in California," Ma said, "When employers offer paid sick days, employee morale is better, turnover is less, and health care costs decrease." Dr. Vicky Lovell of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research Institute concluded that AB 2716 will save California nearly $1 billion annually, primarily due to reduced turnover and reduced spread of illness in the workplace.

The Assembly approved the bill with no support from Republican, who said AB 2716 would impose a one-size-fits-all mandate that many small businesses simply could not afford. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the legislation, which now moves to the Senate, where Ma has indicated it will be heard in June.

Under AB 2716, businesses of 10 employees or more would be required to provide up to nine days of sick leave per year while those with fewer than 10 employees would provide up to five days. Full-time and part-time workers would earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The benefit could be used after 90 days of employment.

AB 2716 is co-sponsored by the California Labor Federation and California Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, and is supported by a statewide coalition of over 50 organizations including local governments, health professionals and civil rights organizations.

"Simply put, workers should not live in fear of being fired when they take a day off when they or their children are sick," said Ma.

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the requirement would be overseen by the Department of Industrial Relations, whose costs would be about $600,000 annually if the bill were signed into law. The measure also could be enforced through civil lawsuits.