Democratic Lawmakers Propose Requiring Paid Sick Days

Wisconsin Democrats are introducing legislation to require paid sick days, a move that comes in the wake of a local attempt to do so that got strong public support but failed to be implemented after the state stepped in.

Paid sick leave is a common perk in the corporate world, but isn’t as common in smaller businesses. There are fewer employees to cover shifts and profit margins may be lower.

Advocates for paid sick leave say it would help low wage workers and keep fellow employees healthy. Rep. Corey Mason, D-Racine, said workers come in sick because they can’t afford not to, “potentially losing their job and the income from that work to care for a sick child or themselves.”

A bill Mason unveiled with Sen. Nikiya Harris, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Melissa Sargent, D-Madison, would require nine paid sick days a year. Employers with fewer than 10 workers would have to provide five.

So far, Connecticut is the only state to require paid sick days. Business groups have fought such measures, but advocates say businesses hurt themselves when low wage workers don’t get paid when they’re sick.

“When families can’t afford the basics, local businesses lose sales,“ said Vicki Shabo of the National Partnership for Women & Families.

In 2008, Milwaukee voters approved paid sick leave by a 69 percent margin. Opponents eventually quashed the effort when lawmakers preempted the local ordinance.

Efforts in Congress to gain approval of paid sick leave legislation remain stalled, prompting proponents of such laws to push for change at the state and local levels.