N.J. Sick Leave = Sicker Job Market

By Joe Sinagra | The Save Jersey Blog

sickI’m still trying to figure out how State Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) came up with a proposal for one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, Save Jerseyans; that’s roughly 5.333 sick hours per month based on a 4-week month. It works out to about 63.996 hours per year if my math is somewhat accurate.

The Assembly will begin considering earned sick leave legislation in September crafted by the Assembly Speaker.

I’m not sure if this is cumulative where, after a number of years, they can be cashed in if not used, or if they aren’t used will  be lost… or does an employer have to monetarily compensate for days not used because they were earned sick day? If that is the case, it amounts to nothing more than extra time off in addition to vacations. We’re still waiting on more details but it’s clear enough that the idea will prove disastrous for New Jersey’s job market.

When a private sector employee is hired, they know ahead of time what the benefits are. If the individual does not like the terms, then they have a clear option: don’t take the job.

Most companies offer vacation time in addition to personal or sick days based on longevity and length of service. Usually a company will start an employee off with a week’s vacation with a day earned for so many years up to a cap, and then offer personal days to be used at the employee’s discretion or, alternatively, maybe 2 or 3 sick days. If an employee uses those personal or sick days, they may have to use some of their vacation days, too. Not complicated or unreasonable.

When a company offers sick days it is a benefit that the company gives an employee. If as an employee you don’t get sick, you are fortunate that you didn’t need to use them.

The Family Leave Act already allows employees in New Jersey to take time off to care for close family members in which an individual is permitted to take leave. An eligible employee does not have to worry about losing his position while he is away, providing employees with peace of mind while they are going through difficult or stressful times. Eligible employees are permitted to take up to 12 weeks of continuous leave within a 24 month period.

The Federal FLA permits individuals to use leave for their own medical issues, allowing for 12 weeks of leave within a 12 month period.

An individual who returns from leave is usually entitled to the same position that he held prior to the leave. However, if the original position is not available, the individual must be offered a comparable opening.

It isn’t bad enough that New Jersey can’t attract jobs and has a reputation for not being business friendly, but now we are going to make it harder for the businesses that are still in the state?

Apparently not.

Speaker Pietro says earned sick leave means stronger families, stronger workplaces and stronger communities. How does the Assembly Speaker propose businesses pay for the additional time off? Wouldn’t a business owner now have to hire additional help to make up for those that are off? Companies are already paying higher costs for healthcare due to Obamacare, letting go of full timers, and filling positions with part-timers. Getting laid off, not having a job does not mean stronger families, stronger workplaces and stronger communities as Prieto claims.

This is just another nail in the coffin for those business owners left that are trying to keep their profit margins ahead of the bill collectors.

Weaker employers translates to less employees.

 

Joe Sinagra
About Joe Sinagra 73 Articles
Joe is a U.S. Air Force veteran, small businessman and former candidate for the New Jersey legislature and New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District. He continues to actively work for GOP causes and candidates in the Central New Jersey region.

3 Comments

  1. I do think your math may be off a bit but I do agree that this is going to hurt many small business owners. When it comes to Vincent Prieto nothing surprises me.

  2. As long as I have my paid sick time off at my job, the heck with everyone else. Let them come to work sneezing and coughing when I go out to eat at a diner or restaurant. If I get sick from their germs, I’ll be able to get paid sick time off.

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