Philadelphia sick-leave bill nears final vote

A bill mandating paid sick leave for all workers in Philadelphia is expected to be amended once again before moving to a final vote next week.

Fierce opposition to the sick-leave bill has resulted in almost 20 amendments. Business interests say employers who don’t already provide sick leave can’t afford it. Proponents say it’s a matter of public health and the right thing to do.

“Unfortunately, some parents have to make that really hard choice to give their kid a dose of ibuprofen and send them to school and hope for the best rather than taking a day off or missing pay or putting their job in jeopardy,” said Stephanie Haynes of Philadelphia Family Pride, which is part of the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces,

The amendment on the floor Thursday would exempt businesses with fewer than six employees.

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Only Washington, D.C., and San Francisco have laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave. The state of Connecticut recently became the first state to pass such a law.

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