When providing hand sanitizer isn't enough

Not surprisingly, a measure has been introduced, this time in the House of Representatives, that would require employers (with at least 15 employees) to provide 5 paid sick days when an employee shows symptoms of a contagious illness or has been in contact with someone who has a contagious illness.

This law, if passed as presently written, would sunset 2 years from the date of passage. Thus, it's not the permanent fixture of paid sick leave that has been trumpeted in the past by members of Congress. Interestingly, a violation of the law would be equivalent to violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. Thus, treble damages and attorneys' fees would be available.

With the focus on health care reform, it is very possible that this measure slips under the radar and passes without much fanfare. The sponsor has dubbed it the Emergency Influenza Containment Act, categorizing it as a way to control the H1N1 pandemic.

For anyone who enacted policies in response to the outbreak, you should closely monitor this Act so as not to find yourself painted into a corner if it passes.

Paid (sick) time off?

You've probably heard us talking about the movement to require businesses of any size to provide paid sick days for their employees. That movement appears to be gaining momentum, as twelve states now have active legislation for such leave. On the federal level, The Healthy Families Act has seen life in several sessions of Congress. Presently it is in committee for both Houses of Congress (i.e., it's in the first stages of the legislative process).

You can track your state's legislation and activity on this subject through the National Partnership for Women and Families. Regardless of your stance on paid sick time, the NPWF's website keeps tabs on the latest developments and provides easy monitoring of each state's and, in some cases, city's, status on the legislation.