Maine sick leave proposal killed
The Associated Press
AUGUSTA — A weakened bill that would have required Maine employers to offer paid sick leave is dead.
Senate President Elizabeth "Libby" Mitchell proposed the sick leave requirement as swine flu was reaching a peak.
The Vassalboro Democrat later scaled back her proposal to prohibit Maine employers from firing workers who take paid or unpaid sick days.
The bill, which encountered opposition from business groups, was killed in the House on Monday.
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15 COMMENTS
Gunner said...
Good. Finally some signs of intelligent life in Augusta.
March 30, 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse
KO said...
Cue whining about liberals in 3...2...1...
March 30, 2010 at 2:29 PM Report abuse
frannie said...
Now That's a tough call. State encourages ill people to STAY HOME & not spread 'what ever' around. However IF he-she takes that advice there's no income. In Maine that's a BIG problem. Yes a tough call in deed.
March 30, 2010 at 2:46 PM Report abuse
Diamondave said...
Wow,the business groups must have been quaking in fear that they would have to let employees take a sick day off (unpaid) without fear of reprisals. Gunner, you better hope that any time you eat out, the person serving you isn't sick with the flu because the boss said be at work, or you don't have a job. Beware kids, H5N1 is just around the corner, and it's going to make the 1918 flu look like a bad hangover...
March 30, 2010 at 2:48 PM Report abuse
Conservative said...
Good riddance. So much for Libby's platform.
March 30, 2010 at 3:36 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Force employers to pay for health insurance and then add in sick leave and pretty soon the cost of their goods and services will become less and less affordable and their businesses vulnerable. Just nationalize all private business and get it over with; pack up your wealth and business and move it to a 'friendly' state NOW.
March 30, 2010 at 3:54 PM Report abuse
Bole said...
If you're sick, leave. Conservative philosophy.
March 30, 2010 at 3:57 PM Report abuse
Scrib said...
Try saving a little ahead for the "rainy day". But I realize they all have to have their widescreens and expensive lattes.
March 30, 2010 at 4:59 PM Report abuse
jack33 said...
Putting company profits before people's health. WAY TO GO AUGUSTA. . What company exec is YOUR elected official sleeping with? You gonna vote for them again?
March 30, 2010 at 5:02 PM Report abuse
passiton2u said...
God forbid if the minium wage earner in this State should have some sort of benefit!!! You kave to wonder if the ones at the state level have to worry about getting paid if they stay home sick. Makes me sick just reding the article!!!
March 30, 2010 at 6:02 PM Report abuse
Tonto said...
Obviously most of these posters have never been an employer. As a small business owner with 10 or so employees, you wouldn't believe the number of times someone calls in "sick" and usually about 30 minutes before their shift. Haven't fired anyone over this yet but a couple are on thin ice.
March 30, 2010 at 6:21 PM Report abuse
wingnut said...
Pay attention Libby, as your bill goes so will your chances at the Blaine House!
March 30, 2010 at 6:57 PM Report abuse
BlackBear+Fa said...
I have been employer in Maine and elsewhere and am in favor of this bill. I fully support having paid sick days for employees. If an employer can not afford to supply sick days, especially for minimum wage emplyees then that employer should not be in business, it is a cost of doing business, just as providing health insurance options is. But on the other hand if an employee abuses the sick days fire them. I have found that the Maine Work Ethic is sadly lacking in many people today.
March 30, 2010 at 9:09 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
I just hated it when an employee took sick leave to interview for another job. I felt betrayed and disappointed that I didn't provide them with a job they wanted to keep. I felt ripped off as did other staff; like the biz was a doormat for an ambitious employee seeking to shop for the best deal. Make it personal days, and only after a year of FT employment On the other hand, the last person you want working when sick or injured is a food service employee.
March 30, 2010 at 10:08 PM Report abuse
frankstower said...
Exactly, Tonto. I've employed between 1 and 8 people for the past 15 years. Before that I worked by the job... more I did, more I made. Before that I was an employee from age 15 to 26. I've been on both sides of this issue and know full well how much sick leave is taken advantage of. The percentage of days a person calls in sick who truly are too sick to go to work, quite small. Just look at the difference between companies that require a doctors note! No, I don't have any numbers, but anyone who has worked in both situations and is honest about it, knows that with a 'doctors note required' policy, the call out rate is significantly lower. Now, these were places that provided insurance, so that excuse won't work, save your time.
April 3, 2010 at 6:45 AM Report abuse