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TO BUSINESS, FEATURES, LEGAL AFFAIRS, AND LIFESTYLES EDITORS:
New Mandatory Sick Leave Laws Have Overwhelming Support, Says
FindLaw.com Survey
EAGAN, Minn., March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- An overwhelming majority
of Americans support a growing number of laws that provide mandatory
paid sick leave for workers. That's according to a new survey from
FindLaw.com, the most popular legal information website.
In April, New York City will become the latest city to implement
mandatory sick leave. Businesses with 20 or more employees will be
required to provide five paid days off each year for employees who are
ill or caring for a sick family member. Smaller businesses will have
to provide five unpaid sick days.
In recent years, several cities and states have adopted similar laws.
Advocates say the measures improve public health by keeping ill
workers and schoolchildren at home, and protect workers from being
fired for taking time off while sick. However, several states have
passed laws that prohibit local sick leave ordinances, arguing that
such laws raise costs and interfere with business decisions.
Seventy-one percent of people surveyed by FindLaw.com say they support
mandatory sick leave laws. Only 10 percent of Americans are opposed.
Nineteen percent were unsure or had no opinion.
San Francisco was the first city to implement a mandatory sick leave
ordinance, which went into effect in 2007. Connecticut was the first
state to pass a mandatory sick leave law, which took effect January 1,
2012. Seattle, Portland and the District of Columbia have approved
similar measures, and more than 20 other cities and states are
considering it. Meanwhile, Kansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana
and Arizona have banned cities from requiring private employers to
provide mandatory sick leave.
"The issue of mandatory sick leave is sparking considerable debate in
cities and states across the country," said Stephanie Rahlfs, an
attorney-editor at FindLaw.com. "It's important for both employers and
employees to know which current state laws and city ordinances apply
to them, as the legislative landscape is rapidly evolving.
"Employees should check with their human resources department to learn
more," continued Rahlfs, "as well as free online resources such as
FindLaw.com's Employment Law Center (http://employment.findlaw.com/)."
The FindLaw survey was conducted using a demographically balanced
survey of 1000 American adults and has a margin of error of
plus-or-minus 3 percent.
Note to editors: Full survey results and analysis are available upon
request.
CONTACT Michelle Croteau FindLaw 651-687-5330 michelle.croteau@thomsonreuters.com
SOURCE FindLaw.com
-0- 03/13/2014
/Web Site: http://www.findlaw.com
CO: FindLaw.com
ST: Minnesota
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