The House of Representatives continues to struggle this week with two bills proposed to curb the spread of H1N1. One bill would require five days of paid sick leave for workers sent home or told to stay home because of illness. The other would require seven days paid sick leave for all employees, including for parents forced to stay home with sick children. Both bills are considered only temporary and would expire after two years. Those in favor of one or the other of the bills say that about 34% of workers do not get any paid sick leave, that the CDC has advised anyone with a fever to stay home to avoid the spread of the virus, and that without legal sick leave, illness could put the jobs of some employees at risk. Opponents say that flexibility is more important in dealing with H1N1. They fear that required sick leave would force employees to cut other benefits, and suggest instead creating incentives for employers to allow paid sick leave.
See Brian Tumulty, The Ithaca Journal, November 23, 2009
