Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - A bill that would give every employee in Virginia paid sick days is headed to Governor Youngkin’s desk.
Under the measure, employees would accrue sick leave at a rate of one hour per every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year.
Pro-business groups oppose the bill, but democrats claim ensuring employees get time off if they’re sick will actually help Virginia’s businesses.
“People get sick,” Delegate Jeion Ward (D-Hampton), who wrote the bill, told our partners at 8News. “One day of work that you miss could mean one week of groceries your family may not have.”
The bill would require employers to give every employee paid time off that they could then use if:
• They’re suffering from a physical or mental illness
• Need to go the doctor for preventive reasons
• They need to care for a sick child
At a committee meeting earlier this month, Kristin Burhop with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce contended that the legislation would disadvantage all Virginians.
“This legislation would increase the cost of doing business in the commonwealth for all employers in all industries,” Burhop said. “This disadvantages all Virginians and will lead to higher costs for businesses and consumers alike.”
Ward argues that not having a sick employee working will only help businesses.
“I don’t believe any business owner really wants a sick employee,” Ward said. “That’s going to have an impact on that business’s bottom line if you have a sick person in there working, especially in restaurants. You don’t want that.”
Youngkin has until March 24 to act on the bill.
