SB-217:
Mandating paid sick leave

Status: Senate has approved; awaiting action by the House

(May 2, 2008) SB-217 is a “one-size-fits-all” mandate for employers of 50 or more employees to provide paid sick leave to hourly and nonexempt employees. Sick leave would be paid at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked, to a maximum of 52 hours per year; unused hours can be carried over into the next year. Workers can’t use paid sick leave until after having been employed 120 days.

SB-217 is harmful because it:

Raises employers’ costs and decreases the productivity of Connecticut’s workplaces.

Affects future collective bargaining agreements by raising the floor for labor union negotiations.

Imposes a “one-size-fits-all policy” on Connecticut workplaces, which is difficult for many businesses struggling to balance the needs of their employees and company.

Encourages abuse of the system, because employers can’t obtain physicians’ documentation until after three consecutive days of absence.

Takes away the flexibility of employers to meet the needs of their employees and their companies.

SB-217 should be rejected because it increases the costs of doing business and weakens employers’ ability to compete.