HB 2005A Mandatory paid sick leave

05/11/2015
HB 2005A
VOTE:NO
Died in Committee

SB454A Requires all employers to implement sick time for employees Sister bill here

HB 2005A is amended to make changes to allow circumstances for paid sick time for employees. Requires all employers with six of more employees to implement paid sick time with consequences to the economy.

Personal Choice
“Mandatory paid sick leave will force many small businesses to cut staff, and reduce employee hours and benefits,” said Senator Tim Knopp (R-Bend). “We need to focus on solutions that create jobs, not force businesses to close their doors or lay off struggling Oregonians.” “This hurts the bottom line of small businesses, increases prices for consumers, and fails to strengthen our economy,” said Senator Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer). The cost will be passed on to consumers or jobs will be lost. Benefits employees at cost to employer: Provides for employee to accumulate and carry over 40 hours of paid sick leave up to 80 hours. An employee may use sick leave if employer closes business or the school or place of care of the employee’s child is closed by order of a public official for health emergency.

Fiscal Responsiblity
Fiscal impact is yet to be determined. However, it would be similar or more than to SB454 since this bill requires more: The Legislative Revenue Office’s preliminary estimate is that this bill will impose more than $1.5 billion in new costs to Oregon businesses over the next four years. Increase in state expenses are projected to be $10 million over the same 4 years plus loss of revenue for tax credits.

Limited Government
Over regulating is raising the cost of goods and services, that hurt those on a limited income. Will increase medical expenses for those with the most need by requiring Home Care Commission to establish paid sick time policy for consumer-employed home care workers. 

Free Markets
Restricts free market from offering paid sick leave in a benefit package to draw highly qualified employees. All provisions of the bill apply to smaller employers with six employees forcing them to hire part-time employees. Employers with fewer than six employees shall implement a sick time policy that allows an employee to earn and use up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time per year. Added expense for employers to pay overtime when employee makes up time taken, and required to carry sick leave over if break in employment is within 180 days. Kurt Schrader, recently noted that “Our state is extremely unfriendly to business, and we’re getting worse.” Mandating paid sick leave would continue this downward spiral. This is a cost that Oregon businesses simply cannot afford.