Life Meets Work Blog

Voters in Milwaukee could have their wishes overturned, thanks to efforts from their area chamber of commerce.

On Nov. 4, residents voted to pass an ordinance requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees.  The referendum won with 68 percent of the vote, and the ordinance is slated to become effective sometime in February 2009.

It calls for all private employers in the city to provide paid sick days for full-time, part-time and temporary employees. Workers will earn a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, equal to about eight paid sick days for fulltime employees.  Employers with 10 or fewer workers would be required to provide five paid sick days.

By law, the mayor and city council cannot amend or repeal the ordinance for a two-year period. However, on Nov. 5 , the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce (MMAC) filed a notice of intent to challenge the ordinance in court.  On Nov. 17 its board voted unanimously to proceed with the legal challenge.

The MMAC will seek an injunction to block implementation of the ordinance during the court challenge.

Similar ordinances, in place in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. are also being challenged.

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

Milwaukee, Wisconsin could be the third city in the nation to require its businesses to provide paid sick leave. San Francisco led the way in February ‘07, followed by the Washington D.C. in March ‘08. Milwaukee residents will vote on the issue November 4.

According to the referendum’s leading advocate, more than 77,000 workers would get paid sick leave as a new benefit.

If passed, the new ordinance would purportedly allow employees to use their sick days for themselves or a close family member and would cover illness as well as preventive care.

Debate wages on both sides, of course. Opponents say it would put undue burden on small businesses, force large businesses to increase benefits in branches outside Milwaukee, and discourage new business growth.

Advocates say it would level the playing field for businesses that already offer the benefit and that paid sick leave boosts the bottom line by fostering healthier workers.

Opponents argue demand should be driven by the marketplace and that such legislation belongs in the hands of state and national leadership, not local municipalities.

Should Government Get Involved?

Find out what Americans think of government involvement in work/life benefits like these by attending the Life Meets Work free webinar on October 28. We’ll reveal the results of a nationwide survey examining employer and employee attitudes toward flexible work and the role of government in work/life benefits.

Posted by Jaime.