June 2, 2009

REP. CANDELARIA BACKS PAID SICK DAYS

State Representative Juan Candelaria (D-New Haven), announced that paid sick leave legislation passed the Connecticut House of Representatives Thursday by a vote of 88 to 58. House Bill 6187, An Act Mandating Employers Provide Paid Sick Leave to Employees, establishes paid sick leave for employees at organizations with 50 or more employees.

"I received many calls from concerned workers asking me to support this legislation and I am pleased to see it moving forward," Rep. Candelaria said. "There are many workers who can't afford to stay home and rest when they get sick, because they are afraid of not only losing their pay, but their jobs if they miss a day."

Many workers in industries that require constant contact with the public lack paid sick days — 78 percent of food-service workers, 57 percent of workers in the retail industry and 29 percent of health care and social assistance workers do not have any paid sick days according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research.

"With the recent outbreak of different diseases and viral infections, public safety has become a huge issue. Even at the first sign of the common cold, people are being cautious," Candelaria continued. "This legislation makes sense. It protects businesses and gives workers a benefit they so much deserve."

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, 18% of office employees will catch the flu from a sick coworker.

House Bill 6187 would allow covered employees to accrue up to 5 days of paid sick time per year. The bill will now go to the state senate for consideration.

Juan Candelaria represents New Haven's 95th Assembly District. He is Deputy Majority Whip, and vice chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. He is also a member of the Appropriations and Regulations Review Committees.