More changes for Philadelphia’s proposed sick leave law

Philadelphia’s mandatory sick leave bill has been amended again.

The bill mandating sick leave for workers in Philadelphia has been amended 19 times. Councilman Bill Greenlee said the latest amendment is designed to help the city’s small businesses.

“We call it the ‘Mom and Pop’ exemption, it’s for those very small stores who have come to myself and other councilmembers and said this is going to have a very detrimental effect on our bottom line,” said Greenlee.

Joe Mahoney of the Chamber of Commerce said the group still opposes the bill.

“We think that it’s still onerous on small business,” said Mahoney. “We congratulate Councilman Greenlee for recognizing how onerous it is, there’s a lot more than the mom and pops, those other businesses that are small businesses still find the bill onerous and the requirements something that is problematic and will hurt them from a cost standpoint.”

Supporters of the bill said they were willing to compromise and hope the bill is approved at next week’s council session.