Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. (WFUNJ) continues to spearhead efforts across New Jersey for a statewide earned sick days law. We thank all of our progressive grassroots partners from across the state, who joined with us today in support of the earned sick days bill (A-2354), being heard by the Assembly Labor Committee. This bill would allow employees to earn a limited amount of paid time off to use if they or a family member fall ill.

Last year, our coalition guaranteed minimum wage workers a long-overdue raise. This year we have the chance to enact a policy which respects every worker’s right to get sick without having to sacrifice hard earned wages. This bill provides relief and greater work/life balance to 1.2 million workers in New Jersey who currently lack a commonsense freedom that so many consider to be a given.

Furthermore, earned sick days would benefit workers, business, and the community alike. Benefits to business, such as increased employee morale and work productivity, have proven to be a net positive for the bottom line. The public health benefits of keeping sick children out of school and sick workers off the job would also be immense.

The bill is being sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. The specifics of the policy are as follows:

• One hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
• Up to 40 hours of earned sick leave, if the employer has less than 10 employees in the state and up to 72 hours, if the employer has 10 or more employees.
• Leave begins accruing 90 days after the employee is hired.
• During the use of earned sick time, employees are compensated at their regular rate.
• Time can be used for personal health care or to take care of a family member’s health.
• Prohibits retaliatory actions against employees for the use of earned sick leave.

Once again, thank you for your continued support of this legislation. Working together we will ensure enactment of this very important and commonsense law.