C.O. businesses raise concerns over new paid sick leave law
About 30 representatives of small businesses attended a public hearing the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries held Tuesday in Bend. The agency was gathering input on a recently passed law requiring employers with more than 10 workers to offer five paid sick days a year.
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than a third of Americans don’t have access to paid sick leave at work.
And coming into work sick is costing employers big bucks. A recent study found it costs American businesses about $160 billion in lost productivity each year.
It is a problem, but what’s the answer?
“I support paid sick leave,” said state Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, who opposed the legislation. “What I don’t support is a government mandate between an employer and an employee.”
Oregon this year became the fourth state to mandate paid sick leave, joining California, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Some Central Oregon business owners who attended Tuesday’s meeting are concerned about the impact.
“We can see that it’s going to be a huge impact for our business,” said Scott Ramsay, president of Sun Mountain Fun Center.
Mt. Bachelor President Dave Rathbun voiced concerns over seasonal workers, who might take all their sick time at the end of the season.
“We’re going to have a lot of people calling in sick — whether they are sick or not, is our prediction,” Rathbun said.
Many also said they are worried about the rules regarding how to verify an employee is really sick. Under the new rules, if an employee is sick for three work days in a row, the employer can ask for a doctor’s note — but then has to pay “any reasonable costs for providing medical verification.”
“You know, we’re not in a position every time where we can pay for that person’s co-pay or deductible,” Rathbun said.
Other are concerned the new law will bring a spike in employees calling in sick.
“This year already, call-out sick is an epidemic for us, especially with the younger generation,” Ramsay said.
