Voters in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska made a strong statement last year when they supported measures to require paid sick leave for workers. However, some lawmakers in these states are now pushing to roll back these benefits, citing concerns from businesses about the potential costs.
The move to change the laws is seen as an attempt by legislators to override the will of the voters. In February, Michigan lawmakers revised a paid sick leave law that voters had approved seven years ago, making it easier for small businesses to comply and delaying the implementation for new employees.
Many voters are upset about these changes. Restaurant owner Tim Hart from Hannibal, Missouri, expressed his worries, stating that the paid sick leave requirement could threaten his business. He explained that he would have to pay one employee to stay home sick while hiring another to cover their shift, which he fears could lead to his restaurant’s closure.
The paid sick leave laws in these states are set to take effect soon, with Missouri’s law starting Thursday, followed by Alaska on July 1, and Nebraska on October 1. Richard Eiker, a McDonald’s worker and supporter of the initiative in Missouri, has never had paid sick leave in his 40 years of work. He shared his experience of going to work while in pain instead of being able to rest at home.
While federal law mandates up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for medical reasons, there is no federal requirement for paid sick days. According to the Department of Labor, 79% of private-sector employees had paid sick leave last year, but this benefit is less common among part-time workers and those in lower income brackets.
Since Connecticut passed the first paid sick leave law in 2012, more states have followed suit, bringing the total to 18 states and the District of Columbia. The laws typically apply to employers with at least one worker, though some states exempt smaller businesses.
In Missouri, the state Supreme Court upheld the paid sick leave law against business groups’ challenges, but efforts to amend it continue. Some lawmakers are advocating for changes that would delay the law’s implementation, exempt small businesses, and limit workers’ rights to sue for violations.
In Nebraska, Republican lawmakers are proposing to exempt young workers, temporary agricultural workers, and small businesses from the paid sick leave requirement. Critics argue that these changes undermine the original intent of the law.
In Alaska, a proposal to exempt seasonal workers and small businesses from the sick leave requirement is also in the works. Labor leaders in the state anticipate a long struggle to uphold the voters’ decision against pushback from business interests.
As these debates unfold, the future of paid sick leave in these states remains uncertain, with workers and lawmakers on both sides of the issue passionately advocating for their positions.