PAID SICK LEAVE PASSES IN HOUSE AS SMALL BUSINESS HOPES SENATE HAS BETTER SENSE
MONTPELIER (April 22, 2015): Today the National
Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is expressing disappointed in today’s
vote by the House of Representative to support mandated paid leave. However, the 76-66 vote shows that as the
session progresses more and more House members are hearing the voice of small
business.
“Small business in Vermont has been attempting to
recover from a disastrous business climate in this state and instead of
focusing on tax and regulatory reforms that could actually assist Main Street,
the legislature found it prudent to debate a stricter regulatory environment on
our members, this time targeting the day to day operations of small employers
and those that work for them by dictating paid leave for business owners,
regardless of size,” according to Shawn Shouldice who serves as NFIB
Vermont’s state director.
Governor Shumlin expressed support for the measure today
however it is unclear if the Senate will take up the issue that could
ultimately require employees to accrue one hour of paid leave for every 30 -40
hours worked.
“This is legislation that anyone in business will
tell you is a solution in search of a problem, continued Shouldice, there is no
reason for the government to interfere with the relationships workers have with
their employers, including the disruption of flexibility to balance work and
family and employers the confidence that their places of business are
predictably staffed. Today’s measure is a step backwards for both employer and
employee in the small business community and we can only hope that Senate will
put the brakes on this mandate.”
