Democrats propose national sick leave bill

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Joined by 22 other members of the Democratic caucus, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has introduced legislation that will provide some degree of paid sick leave for all Americans and force employers to allow workers to take a minimal amount of time off to care for themselves or a sick child.

"As members of Congress, we don't lose our pay or risk our jobs if we stay home because of illness. But millions of our fellow citizens are not so fortunate," said Kennedy, in introducing the legislation late last week. "Every parent knows what it's like to care for a sick child, and every child knows the importance of a parent taking care of them when they are ill. Yet, every day, countless Americans find their paychecks or even their jobs at risk when illness strikes."

The Healthy Families Act (S.910) will provide all American workers who work an average of at least 20 hours per week or 1,000 hours per year, up to seven paid sick days that can be used for "an absence resulting from a physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition of the employee."

The legislation, which is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), also permits the use of the sick days for caring for a child, parent, spouse and -- get ready for anti-gay howling from the Religious Right on this one -- "any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship."

http://alternet.org/blogs/peek/49532/#more

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I applaud the effort. People get sick. Parents will have sick children. Nobody should have to make the choice between their or their child's well-being and their paycheck. Plus, this would level the playing field between those employers that recognize that their employees are human beings and those that apparently do not.

[JohnK 0]

But of course it will be abused and a lot of idiots will use it as a paid vacaton instead.

[Jenn! 918]

But of course it will be abused and a lot of idiots will use it as a paid vacaton instead.

So what? At least it's there for the people who need it. And if someone decides they want to use it as paid vacation, tough sh!t when they really do get sick then...

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

what kind of guard will be put in place to control/minmize abuse?

Daniel

:energetic:

[Alex+R 0]

But of course it will be abused and a lot of idiots will use it as a paid vacaton instead.

So what? At least it's there for the people who need it. And if someone decides they want to use it as paid vacation, tough sh!t when they really do get sick then...

My job even allows you to use your sick days as vacation days if you want. The important thing is that they're there. The extra days mean a lot, IMO, and I'll probably use them as sick days since I live in the North where everyone gets sick.

[Dr_LHA 3]

what kind of guard will be put in place to control/minmize abuse?

Daniel

:energetic:

Required note from the Doc for anything more than a day's absense? That's the rule my old job used to have.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

what kind of guard will be put in place to control/minmize abuse?

Daniel

:energetic:

Required note from the Doc for anything more than a day's absense? That's the rule my old job used to have.

Does your employer cover the cost for that doc notice (i.e. the co-pay one will have to caugh up to get it)? If not, I think such rule can be contested.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

what kind of guard will be put in place to control/minmize abuse?

Daniel

:energetic:

Required note from the Doc for anything more than a day's absense? That's the rule my old job used to have.

Does your employer cover the cost for that doc notice (i.e. the co-pay one will have to caugh up to get it)? If not, I think such rule can be contested.

you have a point.

plus complicating the thing is a lot of do not go to the doctor when battling a bad cold/flu. just stay in bed for a couple of days.

in general i would love to be able to say that all sick ppl can take a day off. i just don't see how it cannot be overly abuse. darn them chopf#cks!

Daniel

:energetic:

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

"As members of Congress, we don't lose our pay or risk our jobs if we stay home because of illness. But millions of our fellow citizens are not so fortunate," said Kennedy,

99.99% of all Americans don't vote for their own pay raises either.

[almaty 19]

i think it is a great idea...hope it gets through congress and bush does not veto it

[ace13 0]

This makes me want to hurl.

So basically it is saying that any 20 hour a week employee should have 7 days of paid vacation as a requirement by the government? Is this after they have worked 1000 hours or 50 weeks?

Paid sick days and paid vacations are benefits, not rights.

The government needs to stop making new laws, enforce the ones that we have on the books and stop wasting taxpayer time and money with more regulations and nonsense. This is the same as raising the minimum wage. It doesn't work people. Communism, socialism. Spreading the wealth. It fails. This is just one more step towards that. If you have an hourly job that doesn't have any benefits, go work somewhere else if you think you deserve them. If you are entry level and no one offers them, become better qualified. That is the beauty of our system. You choose where you work. People need to be responsible for themselves.

We have so many freakin' FREEDOMS in this country it is unbelievable that anyone in their right mind would applaud the government becoming more involved in their lives. We are FREE (a little less each day due to laws like these) and I for one would like to stay that way, both as an employee and employer.

Create an emergency fund. Show your employer that you are worth it. If you have the balls enough, demand it and see what they say. Say you will leave if they won't give it to you and let them know why they are soooo lucky to have you. Make it a deal between you two, but for Pete's Sake!! Leave Uncle Sam out of it!!!

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

This makes me want to hurl.

you could take a sick day for that ya know.

Daniel

:energetic:

[almaty 19]

This makes me want to hurl.

you could take a sick day for that ya know.

Daniel

:energetic:

yes he certainly could...

[Fuzzness 2]

This is a very bad idea.... because the democrats thought of it.

if you're sick, too f*cking bad. you shouldn't have gotten sick. quit planning on being sick and you'll be ok. if you're sick, quit being a whiny lazy b!tch and come to work.

sigh...