Maine Considers Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Law

If you don't have any paid sick time at your place of work, that could soon be changing. Senator Rebecca Millett, (D) Cape Elizabeth, has proposed L.D. 369 which would require businesses with five or more employees to offer paid sick time. Under the legislation, workers would earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked.

Last night (Monday 2/26/19) there was a public hearing in Augusta to get testimony and opinions of workers and business owners alike. According to WGME News 13,

McGinley Jones and her husband, Gale White, were among those testifying in favor.

The couple opened Lubec Brewing Company four years ago, and said they recently implemented paid sick time for their employees.

"It's a no brainer," said Jones. "It's like, we have to do it. We have to walk our talk and start taking care of each other."

"Businesses are faced with already higher costs, particularly in the area of wages," said Peter Gore from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "Minimum wage has gone up by more than three dollars."

Let us know what you think of this proposal as an employee or business owner! Oh, and just try not to get sick, huh?