Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have reintroduced the "Healthy Families Act" (S.910/H.R.1542), which would require small businesses that employ 15 or more workers to provide each employee with seven days of paid sick leave. Both bills are currently being considered in committee, and Congress is expected to act on them later in 2007.
The legislation would require employers to provide paid sick leave for full-time employees to take care of themselves, a family member, or anyone else whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship. The legislation would apply to employees who work 30 hours or more per week, but would also require prorated leave for part-time employees working between 20 and 30 hours per week.
Small-business owners worry that such legislation can be expensive, extremely rigid and in a lot of cases, unnecessary. According to an NFIB Research Foundation Small-Business Poll, small-business owners often successfully compete for employees on the flexibility they allow their workers. Moreover, a recent survey of salon/spa owners published by the Professional Beauty Association identifies employee recruitment and retention as the industry’s top challenge. This suggests that market pressures ensure that employers will continue to offer leave regardless of any legislative action.
Paid leave legislation is also being considered at the state level and is currently pending in Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey and North Carolina. Similar legislation was defeated in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland and Minnesota.
PBA Salon/Spa Section's 10th Anniversary Survey Report
PBA members can email their elected officials on this issue by visiting PBA’s new online Advocacy Center.
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http://www.probeauty.org/
posted: sam leyvas
professional beauty association
