[Gov. Brown] – Gov. Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. today signed the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 (AB 1522) by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), which provides paid sick days to the millions of Californians – roughly 40 percent of the state’s workforce – who do not currently earn this benefit.
“Whether you’re a dishwasher in San Diego or a store clerk in Oakland, this bill frees you of having to choose between your family’s health and your job,” said Governor Brown. “Make no mistake, California is putting its workers first.”
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Under current state law, approximately 6.5 million workers in California cannot take a paid day off when they are ill or a family member is sick.
“As a single working Mom, I know first-hand the challenge of having to juggle a sick child who needs to see a doctor and your responsibilities at work,” said Assemblymember Gonzalez. “But no parent should have to experience the heartache of having to choose between making the rent and taking care of their child. I am exceptionally proud to have authored this pro-family, pro-worker and pro-public health legislation and very grateful that my Democratic colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Brown also appreciate the need enough to make California the leader in the nation on this issue.”
This bill specifically requires employers to provide paid sick leave to employees who work 30 or more days within a year from commencement of employment and employees will earn a minimum of one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
“Today, we celebrate a major victory for the 6.5 million hardworking Californians who will no longer have to sacrifice their health to avoid missing work and losing income,” said Senator Ricardo Lara. “Employers benefit, workers benefit and ultimately, the California economy benefits.”
With the Governor’s signature, California becomes only the second state in the nation to require paid sick leave. The Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014 will go into effect July 1, 2015.
“Paid sick leave is essential for the health of our families, the strength of our workers, and the success of the middle class,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act will help lower health care costs, reduce employee turnover, prevent the spread of illnesses, and support both women and men caring for their families. In order to jumpstart the middle class, Congress must now follow California’s lead and guarantee paid sick leave for workers across the entire country.”
“When the Shriver Report polled American workers, the number one thing women who live paycheck to paycheck said would make a difference in their lives was sick leave,” said journalist, founder of the Shriver Report and former First Lady Maria Shriver. “California listened and got them what they asked for. Who’s next? I hope the rest of the country follows California’s lead.”
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14 Comments
wow a whole 3 days. what about paid vacations for IHSS workers????
wow a whole 3 days. what about paid vacations for IHSS workers????
Yes more lazy workers woo hoo! If you don’t get a job that gives you sick leave… well you agreed to it when being hired. No one forced you.
Yes more lazy workers woo hoo! If you don’t get a job that gives you sick leave… well you agreed to it when being hired. No one forced you.
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And free train passes too?
And free train passes too?
hmmm isn’t it 1 hr for every 30 hrs worked, so that’s like 2.6 hrs every two weeks. If indeed someone is sick, would I want them handling my order at fast food. Besides, sick leave, time off with pay, vacation etc, are all bennys, and do not have to be paid to any of us. Should we all forfeit these, would everyone be happy doing this
If your sick, that stinks. But if your too sick to go to work, why does it become the employers double problem. One- to have your job not done and also have to pay for no work done??? Makes no sense.
I can’t believe the negative responses Jose Sandobal and Jennifer Carter Owen. First of all, if you’re too sick to go to work, how does that make you lazy? If you go to work sick and get everyone else sick, then the business suffers even more when work pace slows down or more people call out. The jobs that went away aren’t coming back, so more people are forced to take jobs that offer less pay and compensation while those at the top continue to make record breaking salaries.
A former employer of mine decided to move a chunk of workers from full time permanent to full time contracted workers (through a temp agency). They took away our sick leave, ability to contribute to a 401K etc. Because of the job market, finding a job that paid me what I got paid there was impossible, and I wasn’t able to pick up and move to a job elsewhere because my husband was in the military and stationed at a base with no options for moving (not to mention how many employers refuse to hire military spouses). If I got sick, I didn’t get paid. My tasks still needed to be completed by their deadline, so it didn’t become the “employers problem,” it became mine.
It’s funny how big business has duped so many people into fighting with each other for benefits that should be a given, like sick leave. You may spend your entire life working for an employer, making their business successful, making the CEO look good to his/her Board, yet the rank and file deserve nothing? We’re not talking about mandatory 6-figure salaries, we’re talking about the ability to take care of yourself when you’re sick without it becoming a financial burden for your family.
The number of Americans who could care less about the well-being of their fellow countrymen is disgusting.
I can guarantee more then 80% of people who use sick days are not really sick. Also why should employer pay for your sickness.
I have 8 sick days with my job 1 month paid vacation. I use none of it. I could, but I don’t need it if I only get sick maybe once a year. Now I lost my job in 2008 just like many others. I took on horrible less paying jobs but always looking for something else. Then I said screw it I’ll go back to school, became a dental lab technician and now I have skills to fall back on. When I first go to any job I always ask, what are my benefits and sick leave etc. If there are none and I agree to it… well there you go I agreed. As for military spouses I have 3 of them in our lab. We cater to there needs of picking up kids and school functions. It all falls to one important aspect, are YOU!! Happy where you are and are you getting what you want?
If not then guess what it’s your problem do what I did and get what you want. Stop waiting for handouts.
If you want I’ll send info on where I went to school it’s a 6 month program pass with flying colors and I’ll hire you. My lab takes care of its employees, sure not all places do. But good employers do exist, but you have to deserve to work at those good places.
This is awesome, Angel Reyes I will no longer have to use my vacation…. Just need to find out if those 3 days aren’t use within the year if they will roll over like my vacay..
I can guarantee more then 80% of people who use sick days are not really sick. Also why should employer pay for your sickness.
I have 8 sick days with my job 1 month paid vacation. I use none of it. I could, but I don’t need it if I only get sick maybe once a year. Now I lost my job in 2008 just like many others. I took on horrible less paying jobs but always looking for something else. Then I said screw it I’ll go back to school, became a dental lab technician and now I have skills to fall back on. When I first go to any job I always ask, what are my benefits and sick leave etc. If there are none and I agree to it… well there you go I agreed. As for military spouses I have 3 of them in our lab. We cater to there needs of picking up kids and school functions. It all falls to one important aspect, are YOU!! Happy where you are and are you getting what you want?
If not then guess what it’s your problem do what I did and get what you want. Stop waiting for handouts.
If you want I’ll send info on where I went to school it’s a 6 month program pass with flying colors and I’ll hire you. My lab takes care of its employees, sure not all places do. But good employers do exist, but you have to deserve to work at those good places.
They didn’t go far enough. Add paid vacations for everyone as well! It’s just as important for a healthy body.