Advocates Say its Time for State to Expand Paid Sick Leave

Paying employees when they're out sick has been standard practice at many companies for decades, but state legislators are eyeing a bill that would expand the benefit to a wider range of workers.

Following the passage of a municipal paid sick-leave statute in Jersey City, advocates believe that momentum is building for statewide changes. Assembly Speaker-elect Vincent Prieto (D-Bergen and Hudson) mentioned the issue in his first press conference after being chosen to lead the Assembly starting next year, saying that he wants to see the issue addressed.

Advocates point to potential health benefits that would accrue when sick employees stay at home, rather than coming in to work and spreading their germs. A bill that’s been introduced in both houses of the Legislature A-4125/S-2866] would give all employees earned sick leave based on the number of days they have worked. It’s opposed by some in the business community, who question whether there is evidence of a problem in New Jersey.

The bill would enable employees to accrue one hour of paid time off for every 30 hours of work. Companies with fewer than 10 workers would have to provide a minimum of 40 hours of paid sick leave each year, while those with more than 10 would have to provide a minimum of 72 hours.

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