Paid Sick Leave: 3 Going on 50
Three cities going on 50 states, that is.
The citizens of Milwaukee, Wisconsin voted yesterday to become the third city in the nation to require its employers to provide paid sick leave for all employees.
Tim Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said paid sick leave was an issue that belonged at the national level.
That just might happen. In his campaign platforms, Barack Obama advocated seven paid sick days for all employees—days you could use if you got sick, or if a child or parent needed your care.
One of my neighbors is losing a renter this month. Her tenant is moving out to go live with her daughter who has oft-ill child and is in danger of losing her job. This grandmother still works fulltime herself—a nighttime cleaning job—and will now be commuting over 30 miles to get to work each evening.
These women aren’t asking for a handout. They’re sacrificing and working hard to keep their jobs and make ends meet. Seven paid sick days wouldn’t be enough to resolve their particular challenge…but it sure would provide a little relief.
Posted by Jaime
Tags: election, paid sick leave