House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller is pushing a bill to require employers to grant paid sick leave if they ask workers with the H1N1 flu or other contagious illness to stay home from work. Miller says 50 million Americans have no paid sick leave, particularly in the food service and hospitality industries, and that these workers are the most likely to face employer requirements to stay away from work if they get sick. Employees, Miller insists, should not have to choose between their paychecks and the health of coworkers and customers.
The bill applies to all businesses with 15 or more employees, but exempts any business already providing at least five days of paid sick leave to workers. Miller plans to hold a hearing on the bill this month, and bring it to the floor for a quick vote before the flu season gets info full swing.
The bill applies to all businesses with 15 or more employees, but exempts any business already providing at least five days of paid sick leave to workers. Miller plans to hold a hearing on the bill this month, and bring it to the floor for a quick vote before the flu season gets info full swing.
