November 28, 2007
Paid sick leave for part-timers?
The Legislature's Labor Committee on Monday voted to endorse a bill that would require companies employing 25 or more to give paid sick leave to full and part-timers.
The bill, which has business advocates like the Maine State Chamber of Commerce steamed, was tabled earlier this year. If passed, the bill would make Maine the only state in the nation to require this level of sick leave, according to the State House News Service. But while the 6-5 committee vote was split along party lines, not all Democrats supported the idea. "While this may be very admirable, our current business climate does not put us in a good position to be first [in the nation]," said Rep. Anne Haskell (D-Portland), a committee member, according to the news service.
Under the bill, employees would accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, for an annual total of up to five paid sick days to take care of themselves or family members. Peter Gore of the Maine State Chamber says many businesses would not be able to afford what the bill mandates.
The bill, which has business advocates like the Maine State Chamber of Commerce steamed, was tabled earlier this year. If passed, the bill would make Maine the only state in the nation to require this level of sick leave, according to the State House News Service. But while the 6-5 committee vote was split along party lines, not all Democrats supported the idea. "While this may be very admirable, our current business climate does not put us in a good position to be first [in the nation]," said Rep. Anne Haskell (D-Portland), a committee member, according to the news service.
Under the bill, employees would accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, for an annual total of up to five paid sick days to take care of themselves or family members. Peter Gore of the Maine State Chamber says many businesses would not be able to afford what the bill mandates.
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