Legislature to consider mandatory sick leave

The Chamber says they "appreciate the intent..." - Scared little rabbits. Why can't they just come out and call it what it is - a stupid and extremely business unfriendly idea.

And she wants to be governor.

It looks like Libby fell asleep at the wheel again... Libby, we do not live in a Communist nation!
IMO, it's best for sick days to be an earned benefit within a company - not another entitlement program for lazy people.

McKane, it doesn't matter. Business in Maine is secondary to the bigger social agenda.

This is a terrible idea, unfortunately it will pass in some form.

Just one more reason not to vote for any current, or in most cases former, legislator who chooses to run for Governor. You can't fix the problems when you are the problem and don't even realize it.

Question? If it turns out to not be H1N1, then do you have to pay the employer back for the sick days?

Sorry - not enough coffee yet.

But in reference to a report that only 47% of employers provide such coverage. I would be interested to know if that survey included what is referred to as PTO Time (personal time off). A lot of businesses have no sick time or vacation time, however the employee accrues PTO Time to be used as the employee sees fit. If you didn't manage this in a responsible way, and you get sick, then I guess you don't get paid.

Typical "Rearranging of the Deck Chairs on the Titanic" mentality of the powers that be in Maine.

My wife's company pays well, but there are no paid sick days, no paid vacations, no paid holidays, no paid family leave days, no paid personal time off. They do have health insurance and a bonus every year and the longer you work for them the larger your bonus. You want any time off then you better budget for it down the road, if you don't...it is going to be one very rough road. I can see something like this being passed because of businesses like the one she works for and others that are far worse.

A bad idea, especially for our small business community that we need to keep healthy if we ever have any hope of getting out of this recession. It will, however get her votes from all the usual suspects plus heavy and free press coverage

First I disagree withthis on al levels. It is not an emergency etc.etc.!
If one has a bnefit to offer I like the "pers. time concept".

But let's face it the bottom line is if an employee is not at work there is two things that happen.
Employers producvity is reduced i.e. profit .
Or profit is enhanced.

Question: How many businesses are structured that absence is a major factor in the end?

Due to the abuse of sick days we dropped them in favor of personal time off. This is just an attempt to level the playing field. Obviously another liberal has doesn't appear to have run a business, or at the very least one who believes that money grows on trees.

My wife's company pays well, but....
... I can see something like this being passed because of businesses like the one she works for and others that are far worse.

Worse? I'm curious about this, pmrmsm, since you seem to think this is a bad situation.

If you were in charge of that business, would it make sense to you to pay less well in order to provide paid time off?

Or does you see that as a tradeoff?

I will only agree to support Ms. Libby's proposal if she helps enact an equal measure ensuring mandatory time off for all Legislators who exhibit signs of mental illness.

ie, voting to burglarize Peter to recompense Paul, raiding one department to cement the gaps in another, meanwhile expanding social programs, and all other assorted manifestations of the state's horrible and terminal spending addiction.

"and domestic violence situations as well. "

How has this clause gotten by folks here? I think this is more dangerous than the H1N1 issues, which it has been pointed out is not determined in 3 days.

Steven Scharf
SCSMedia@aol.com

Has she ever actually had a job? Aside from an NGO or government?

One company I used to work for used to do this.

They supply you with 1 day for every two months or 6 sick days a year. At the end of the year if you have any days left they would give that money and you start fresh all over again at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year it is like an extra weeks pay if you never called out sick.

If a lot more companies did this then this issue may not be an issue because it may force the different industries to conform to add this a benefit to its benefits package.

Most contingency plans for a full blown flu outbreak call for a 60% reduction in staffing, it’s enough to cripple any small business. If the CDC recommendation is for the sick person to stay home until 24hrs fever and symptom free, they will be out for several days.

The bill could reward people who abuse sick leave and have no time left on the books. It could force employers to pay for a 60% loss in staffing on top of 60% loss in production. A flu specific sick leave bill is ill conceived. It’s a stepping stone to a full scale leave policy change via government. Not only with the government provide you a health insurance mandate, now they can take on your leave policy. They go hand and hand.

Just wondering the thought process on this - if any. Six days for large companies and three days for small companies. Has there been a study that people in large companies stay sick longer than those in small companies; or maybe victims in small companies are less tramatized by domestic violence than those in large companies. Just wondering.

I am also waiting for the, "This isn't perfect, but we have to start somewhere," statement. NO YOU DON"T!!!!! It is total incompetence to present a bill that does not clearly state where you are going with it!

Has there been a study that people in large companies stay sick longer than those in small companies; or maybe victims in small companies are less tramatized by domestic violence than those in large companies. Just wondering.

I'm sure that Libby Mitchell is basing her proposal on just that study, which - I'm confident - also shows that the self-employed never get sick or suffer from domestic violence.

Baggins, do you have this type of program from your employer?

I have also been a small business owner and this was not one of the things I offered, but I offered health, vacations, 401k, payed them well, they received bonuses, and employee discounts. Yet, my employees almost never called out sick because I would say they were happy with their jobs. When I became too ill to keep the business going I gave them a small severance package for their hard work and closed up shop. I may have had only 15 employees, but they were all hard working. Do I think I needed to have paid personal time or sick time, no. However, that is because I was doing a lot more than others for a benefits package. Do I think there are many other companies that are in the same field I was that can go a lot further than I was to improve the quality of life for people in this field, absolutely. Should it take a state law to do it, no. Do I see another way at the moment, no. Will have a cause and affect, yes. There are always losers in something Augusta does.

Since we still have at will employment, then presumably an employer can fire anyone who gets sick to avoid paying them.

Since we still have at will employment, then presumably an employer can fire anyone who gets sick to avoid paying them.

I'm also thinking about how this proposal would affect hiring decisions. Does it create an incentive to avoid hiring, say, single parents or people with chronic illnesses?

If it passes this will just be another law with huge unintended consequences which Augusta will then blame on Bush. This a bad idea proposed by someone whose only claim to fame is I can spend other peoples money with the best of them.

but I can go show my constituents how I am for the working poor, and the women and children, and seniors and re-elected.

PMRMSM,
My employer provides 12 days sick time per year, and seperate vacation time based on how long you have worked there.
My wife's employer provides the PTO time to which I refer.

You know what, if this state did anything for business this issue just might merit conversation. However, it is the republic of Maine now, and we just continue to force business to pony up or close up. (Sometimes they just go to another state)

How about the employees be thankful they have a job. Show up and work at that job. If they are sick, stay home without pay (watch productivity increase) or use vacation time if it's provided. If you work for a company with sick time and flex time benefits, be thankful.

Group rallies for Maine paid sick leave bill

By Associated Press
November 18, 2009 1:55 PM

PORTLAND, Maine - Supporters of draft legislation forcing Maine companies to give employees paid sick days off marched to the offices of the Portland Regional Chamber to urge the business group to support their cause.

Following a press conference, members of the Maine Work and Family Coalition delivered a report that cites the positive public health impact of paid sick leave.

Source

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Don't the proponents understand this will prompt some employers to cut hours, jobs, or reconfigure employment any way they can, to avoid paying this kind of benefit?

Talk about counter-productive, particularly in this job market.

The problem is our dear leaders think that people are in business to create jobs not to make money. We will never hire anyone at least as long as we are in this state. We are already moving to a new location to save some rent money, next move may be out of state.

The company I work for used to have 5 paid sick days..... it was abused by some employees and was replaced by earned vacation time from 1 to 4 weeks according to the length of the employees employment. When an employee is sick they have now the choice to use vacation time or be absent without pay.
To mandate paid sick time in the case of our company would result in the reduction of vacation days to make up for the enforced sick pay. People like myself who are rarely ill would be penalized or forced to cheat to recoup the time . This proposed legislation would make the employer finacially responsible for an employee's health and I'm sure that it would grow..... as every other government mandate does .
As to domestic abuse...WOW what's next? drug abuse, mental illness ,......... maybe paid SNOWDAYS just like the Maine state employees got a while back.....

"Since we still have at will employment, then presumably an employer can fire anyone who gets sick to avoid paying them."

Due to the Maine Human Rights Act, this will be a boon for us in the legal profession. KA CHING!!!

(Until the last few businesses move out)