Earned sick leave good for employees, employers, and everyone in-between

Earned sick leave benefits the employee, employer, and Maryland’s economy. However, Maryland lawmakers missed an opportunity last legislative session to provide the benefit to the 40 percent of employees who currently cannot take a sick day for fear of losing income or their very livelihood. Senate Bill 753 and House Bill 968 would have guaranteed more than 700,000 private sector employees the right to earn paid sick leave, based on the number of hours they worked. Additionally, both pieces of legislation would have provided victims of domestic violence with paid time off for court sessions related to their abuse. Providing sick leave comes at no net cost to employers and can actually save them an estimated $3 million by reducing employee turnover and increasing public health. People of color would particularly benefit because they are the least likely workers to already have sick leave. Fifty-seven percent of Hispanic workers and 40 percent of Black workers lack the benefit. Cooks and food servers, construction employees, personal care workers and service industry workers would also benefit.

For those without paid sick leave, having to take time off for an illness means a loss in income. As one local server put it, “If I miss a Friday shift, that’s my car payment, if I miss an entire weekend, that’s my mortgage.”

During the legislative session, opponents of earned sick leave warned it would hurt businesses. But that hasn’t been the case in other states and cities that have approved the benefit. In California, it either had a positive impact or no impact on businesses, a study showed. A similar study in Connecticut also found that employers reported no effects or modest effects on business.

However, paid leave policies DO have a drastic effect on public health. Workers with paid sick leave have fewer emergency room visits and are less likely to delay necessary care. Health care costs drop substantially enough that the Institute for Women’s Policy Research estimates Maryland’s economy would benefit by $64 million. Earned sick leave also reduces the spread of communicable disease. Considering that occupations that require direct interaction with the public, like personal care and other services, are less likely to offer earned sick leave, it is easy to understand how the flu and other viruses are reduced in states and cities with earned sick leave requirements.

Maryland also missed an opportunity to provide live-saving time off for survivors of domestic violence. Currently, Maryland only offers unpaid time off under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. This can result in a significant loss of income for survivors of domestic violence who need to take time to get protective services, find a safe place to live and handle criminal proceedings. In fact, it could be a deciding factor in the survivor’s ability to leave a violent situation. Leaving a violent relationship can be a long, time-consuming process, and Maryland’s employees should not be penalized for doing the right thing to protect themselves and their children.

Earned sick leave will be up for discussion again this legislative session. Maryland lawmakers should take this opportunity to improve family financial security, protect public health, and help survivors of domestic violence by allowing employees to take necessary time off without losing pay.