Bill Would Require Paid Sick Leave in California
East Bay Business Times, February 27, 2008
By Kathy Robertson
A landmark bill that could make California the first state in the nation to guarantee paid sick days for all workers was introduced late last week.
Sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Fiona Ma from San Francisco, Assembly Bill 2716 seeks to expand sick benefits to 6 million Californians -- 40 percent of all workers in the state -- who do not get any sick days from their employer.
"Going to work sick creates an unhealthy workplace and puts co-workers and customers at risk, but many workers have no choice," states a prepared statement issued by the California Labor Federation. "Nearly 90 percent of employers report employees coming to work with contagious illnesses."
The bill would allow workers to accrue paid sick days at a rate of no less than one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. An employee would be entitled to use accrued sick time beginning on the 90th calendar day of employment.
The leave could be used to care for themselves, care for a sick family member, or to recover from domestic violence or sexual assault.
Poll Shows California Voters Support Paid Sick Days Law
Three in four (73 percent) California voters are in favor of a law allowing all workers to earn paid sick days, according to a statewide survey released on August 5, 2008. The poll was conducted by the Field Research Corporation for the California Center for Research on Women and Families (CCRWF), a program of the nonprofit Public Health Institute. Support for such a law crosses party lines and includes 85 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of non-partisans and 56 percent of Republicans.
CA Paid Sick Days Bill Will Boost Public Health: New Report
A research report released on July 30, 2008 shows that the proposed California paid sick days legislation will have significant positive public health impacts. The report entitled A Health Impact Assessment of the California Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act of 2008 was produced by Human Impact Partners and researchers at the San Francisco Department of Health.
» Report Summary 
» Full Report
Valuing Good Health in California: The Costs and Benefits of the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act of 2008
Executive Summary
Full Report
Testimony on the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act
Rajiv Bhatia, MD, MPH
Online Rally for Healthy Families
Call on Congress to support paid sick days! Share your own story about why paid sick days are important to you and your family!
August 5, 2008
POLL SHOWS CALIFORNIA VOTERS SUPPORT PAID SICK DAYS LAW
Findings follow new research showing positive public health benefits of AB 2716