By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent
It’s become the most recent stage for business and labor leaders to battle — legislation mandating paid sick leave for all private employees in the state. The Assembly Labor Committee heard testimony from both sides for nearly two hours today.
“Fundamentally we believe this issue is a business decision. It shouldn’t be a government mandate,” said Tony Russo, of Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey Government Affairs, which represents 900 companies.
“There’s no verification required. Real time people are gonna abuse this. We don’t wanna make sick people come into work, but we can’t have people who aren’t sick abuse this bill,” said Francis Schott of the New Jersey Restaurant Association.
“We are talking about caregivers. Not only people taking care of children but folks taking care of aging family members,” said AARP NJ Chief Legislative Advocate Marilyn Askin.
Originally slated for a vote, the bill’s primary sponsor, Assemblywoman Lampitt, asked instead for discussion only to hear potential amendments and garner more support.
“We’re looking at other specific amendments like the doctor’s note and who pays for it. We’re looking at collective bargaining agreements at the trade unions. We’re looking at all aspects of things,” Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt said.
As it stands, the bill requires one hour of sick time to be earned for every 30 hours worked. Businesses with less than 10 employees have to provide a minimum of three days per year while those with 10 or more are required to provide five days.
“These workers are faced with a historic choice when they’re sick, go to work and get paid while potentially spreading illness to colleagues and customers or stay home without pay and risk losing their jobs sometimes,” said Working Families United for New Jersey Executive Director Edward Correa.
Advocates like those with Working Families United of New Jersey say 23 percent of adults have been threatened with termination for taking time off for illness.
“Every cold becomes a crisis, every child’s flu could spell job loss,” said Trenton resident and father Denerick Spalding.
Representatives from business groups say the bill is well intentioned, they’re willing to work with the sponsor, but worry about cost burden for mom and pop shops.
“Especially when you consider this is coming on the heels of the minimum wage increase, the Affordable Care Act and just higher taxes in general and that’s the concern,” said Stefanie Riehl of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.
Business leaders also stressed the lack of flexibility within current mandates.
“We have critical concerns with the legislation,” said Mike Egenton of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re looking to make sure there’s at least a floor, at least a minimum so if our industries are out there and they have paid time off, we’re working to see how we can incorporate it,” Lampitt said.
Six towns have already succeeded in adopting local ordinances while voters in Montclair and Trenton will decide via ballot question this November. It will take several weeks at least for a new draft of the bill to be presented. If enacted, New Jersey would be the second state in the nation, behind only Connecticut, to offer all employees such benefits.