The Paid Sick Day (H.208) legislation that would require all employers to permit employees to earn up to five paid sick days per year has passed it’s first major hurdle. It was voted out of its first committee appearance (Housing and Military Affairs, and don’t ask me why there) by a strong 6-1 margin. It has now moved to the House Appropriations Committee.
The bill has 33 sponsors, an unusually large number. Included are Moran of Wardsboro and Mrowicki of Putney. At this time about 40% of Vermont employees receive no sick pay at all. A disproportionately large number are single mothers. Helping smooth the path is our former hometown favorite Reformer reporter Dan Barlow. Dan is now a lobbyist for Vermont Businesses for Social Resposibility.
