In a December 2015 vote, the New Jersey Senate approved a measure which would require employers to offer paid sick leave to their employees regardless of company size. Senate bill A2354 calls on small businesses with less than 10 employees to offer each employee 40 hours of sick leave, while businesses with 10 or more employees must offer up to 72 hours of sick leave. Every New Jersey employee would accrue a single hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, according to the terms of the statute.
The legislation faces stiff opposition from small business advocates who argue that legislators – by forcing employers to offer paid sick leave –will unfairly drive up costs. The alleged failure by the proposal to cap the amount of sick time that can be carried forward by an employee from year-to-year, as well as overly-burdensome record-keeping regulations, are particularly difficult on small business owners. Moreover, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association maintains that the measure is largely unnecessary because 70% of New Jersey employees are already eligible for paid sick leave via an employer offered voluntary sick leave plan.
The Senate Majority Office counters, however, that an estimated 1.2 million New Jersey workers have no paid sick leave available. Senate bill A2354 would not override any preexisting local law requiring employers to offer their employees with paid sick leave, nor prohibit municipalities from passing similar measures going forward. At least 11 New Jersey towns and cities – including Montclair, Trenton and East Orange – have enacted paid sick leave ordinances in recent years. According to proponents of Senate bill A2354, any comparable local laws will remain in effect unless Senate bill A2354 offers employees greater protection.
Contact Cherry Hill Employment Lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. For All Your Employment Law Needs
Until a comprehensive paid sick leave initiative is passed by the full New Jersey Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, many New Jersey employees remain vulnerable. Cherry Hill employment lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. understand that choosing between financial livelihood and health is a no-win choice for workers. If you or a loved one has been treated unfairly by an employer following or during an illness, contact us online or call our Red Bank, New Jersey offices at 732-842-6500 or our Marlton, New Jersey offices at 856-985-9800. We represent employees throughout the region in a variety of employment law matters.