Paid Sick Leave – Iowa

Posted on February 12, 2010 by townsend

• Bill would require sick leave for most employees in Iowa, By Jennifer Jacobs, February 9, 2010, Des Moines Register: “All Iowa employees who work at least 20 hours a week would get paid when they are home sick, under a bill before the Legislature. Business owners and industry groups immediately expressed worries about how much that would cost. But Sen. Tom Courtney, who proposed the bill, said he thinks businesses could save money in the long run with greater employee retention and better productivity among healthy workers. ‘On the surface, this looks like this is going to be expensive for business,’ said Courtney, D-Burlington. ‘I think we need to get them over that feeling and help them realize this would be good for them. All the studies point to the facts that workers who have some sick leave are better workers, and that’s better for everyone.’ Democratic lawmakers said Monday the proposal likely will not go anywhere unless employers have a voice in crafting it. The bill is in the very earliest stages in the Legislature. A subcommittee considered the bill on Monday; the same group of senators will meet on the topic again Wednesday. As of last year, about 33 percent of full-time Iowa employees did not have paid sick days or flexible paid time off that can be used during an illness, state work force agency records show…”
• Businesses should provide sick leave, Editorial, February 11, 2010, Des Moines Register: “Last year, one-third of Iowans who worked full time did not have paid sick days or flexible paid time off to use when they were ill. More than 80 percent of part-time workers were not offered such time off, according to a survey by Iowa Workforce Development. Low-wage workers are less likely to have paid sick time – and more likely to work directly with the public in businesses such as restaurants and child-care centers. If they can’t afford to lose a day’s pay, they may have no choice but to go to work and potentially spread the bug. So it’s understandable lawmakers would want to help working Iowans on this issue. Senate Study Bill 3176 would provide those who work 20 or more hours a week the right to accrue up to 144 hours of paid sick time each calendar year. Workers could start using days off on the 60th day of employment…”