New Report Shows Benefits of Paid Sick Leave for Maryland Families, Economy
About 488,000 Marylanders would gain paid sick leave and thousands more would gain new workplace protections under the final version of the Healthy Working Families Act, according to updated analysis from the Maryland Center on Economic Policy. The new report also finds that most cities and states that have implemented strong paid sick leave legislation have experienced stronger or equivalent job growth to the nation as a whole.
“There is a reason paid sick leave has broad support from business leaders and the public. Finally passing this bill will make Maryland a more attractive place to work,” MDCEP Executive Benjamin Orr said. “Paid sick leave policies are better for public health, working families, and the economy, and research has shown this time and again.”
Major findings
Earned sick days promote public health:
- Cities and states that guarantee earned sick days have lower rates of flu infection
- Nearly half of restaurant-related outbreaks of foodborne illness are associated with employees working while sick
- Workers with earned sick days are more likely to receive preventive health care that can catch major illnesses early
Earned sick days are part of a vibrant, growing economy:
- Guaranteeing earned sick days would save Marylanders up to $36 million per year through improved productivity and reduced health costs
- A majority of business owners and executives support earned sick days, even when polled by anti-regulation political consultants
- On average, cities and states that passed earned sick days guarantees had equivalent or stronger job growth in comparison to the United States overall 12 months after implementation.
The report also provides an initial analysis of the differences between the Healthy Working Families Act and the draft bill Gov. Hogan released this week. In addition to covering fewer workers, Gov. Hogan’s proposal would:
- Allow companies to impose unrealistic advance notice requirements, even for unforeseeable illnesses.
- Not require the government to investigate alleged violations or take meaningful enforcement action.
- Repeal the earned sick days law in effect in Montgomery County, taking effective protections away from workers who already enjoy them.
The full report is available at mdeconomy.org/sickleave.
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Media Contact
Kali Schumitz, Director of Communications and Partner Engagement
410-412-9105, ext. 701
kschumitz@mdeconomy.org
About Maryland Center on Economic Policy
The Maryland Center on Economic Policy advances innovative policy ideas to foster broad prosperity and help our state be the standard-bearer for responsible public policy. We engage in research, analysis, strategic communications, public education, and grassroots alliances promoting robust debate and greater public awareness of the policy choices Maryland residents face together.
