The proposal calls for employers with 25 or more employees to provide seven days of paid sick leave per year for full-time employees. The proposal counts 30 hours per week as full-time, which sets a costly precedent for employers. Currently, employers are not required to offer paid sick time under federal or state laws. This proposal would not only mandate seven days, but also allow employees to carry over up to seven days of sick time per year. Employees would only be required to provide their employer with medical documentation regarding their absence after three consecutive days of absence, creating an opportunity for the leave to be abused.

A coalition of business groups, Ohioans to Protect Jobs, is leading the effort to oppose the measure. The coalition includes PIA, the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Restaurant Association and Ohio Farm Bureau, among others.

PIA’s board of directors voted to formally oppose this proposal, which if enacted, would be detrimental to Ohio’s business community – negatively impacting Ohio’s already struggling economy and discouraging new employers from locating businesses within the state.

It is important to educate your family and peers about the ramifications of this proposal if passed, as well as to discourage them from signing the petition to help place this issue on the ballot. No other state in the country requires employers to offer paid sick leave. While the proposal sounds appealing, it will ultimately result in employers being forced to make difficult decisions to meet the requirements of the proposal, such as modifying other benefits already offered (such as health insurance) or making staff cuts. Additionally, if the issue passes, it will open the door for more government mandates and interference.

A recent poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that 71 percent of people surveyed support mandated paid sick leave. Ironically, many of the same people (58 percent) said state requirements have made it too costly for business, resulting in Ohio’s economy suffering. Thirty-three percent of respondents also indicated it is very likely or somewhat likely they or a family member will eventually leave the state for better opportunities. With numbers like these, now is not the time to saddle our economy with a surefire job killer.

For more information about this issue, contact PIA’s Public Affairs Team at (800) 555-1742 or by e-mail at publicaffairs@ohiopia.com.