More states requiring paid medical or sick leave

More states are passing or considering laws that require employers to offer paid medical leave. Advocates say these laws can reduce financial stress and make workers more productive. But some measures also stress employers, and the patchwork nature of different state laws can create frustration. Paid family and medical leave allows workers time off to undergo treatment or care for a family member or a new child. Separately, more states and cities are also requiring paid sick time, which helps people deal with shorter-term illnesses like the flu. Many employers also offer paid sick time without a government mandate. Laws requiring longer-term paid family and medical leave are less common. Thirteen states and D.C. require some version of it, according to the National Partnership. There is no federal law requiring paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid time off. It also doesn't apply to a large chunk of the workforce, including employees of small businesses that are exempt. Advocates say providing paid sick time can reduce the spread of disease. It also can improve production by cutting down on “presenteeism,” or people showing up for work sick and unable to focus on their jobs, said Jessica Mason, a senior policy analyst with the National Partnership. Paid leave for longer-term illnesses can help people focus on care and recovery. What are the drawbacks? Skye Nevada, catering company owner, said that when someone calls in sick, she would have to pay that person and their replacement, who would likely get overtime. “To expect small businesses to just absorb this cost is crazy,” Nevada said. Small businesses often don’t have a separate human resources department to track compliance with mandated leave policies, noted Beth Milito of the National Federation for Independent Business. “The paperwork is time, and time is money to a small business owner,” she said. Mason says interest in paid leave has been building since the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic really brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind how important paid sick leave is,” she said. This article was provided by The Associated Press.