Bill Requiring Paid Sick Leave Advances in California Legislature

On a party-line vote Wednesday, the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee approved legislation that would require employers to grant paid sick leave to workers, the Ventura County Star reports.

AB 2716 by Assembly member Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) would permit employees to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Workers at firms with no more than 10 employees could accrue as many as five days of paid sick leave per year, while workers at larger companies could accumulate as many as nine paid sick days.

Supporters of the bill maintain that about six million California workers -- 42% of the work force -- do not have paid sick leave.

According to the Star, the measure is opposed by every major employer group in the state, including the:

• California Chamber of Commerce;
• California Hospital Association;
• California Restaurant Association;
• League of Food Processors; and
• National Federation of Independent Businesses.

On Wednesday, the California Labor Federation released a study by the Institute for Women's Policy Research stating that:

• Workers who get sick-leave benefits would use 1.7 days of leave on average;
• Sick leave would cost employers $1.3 billion annually; and
• Employers would save $2.3 billion annually through the program, principally by reducing turnover costs (Herdt, Ventura County Star, 4/10).

Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News" on Thursday reported on the bill. The segment includes comments from:

• Marc Burgat of CalChamber; and
• A parent lobbying in support of the bill (O'Mara, "KXJZ News," Capital Public Radio, 4/10).