Find balance with paid sick leave
AS A small-business owner, I strongly support paid sick-leave legislation. The economic burden placed on part-time workers when they are unable to work due to an illness is severe. When an employee working less than 30 hours per week is forced to take time off due to illness, that employee experiences a 25-50% drop in wages. No one should be faced with the decision of working sick or putting food on the table, especially in times such as we have faced with the pandemic.
The business community is correct, however, that it will be an additional burden on already struggling businesses due to pandemic shutdowns. Depending on the type of business, small businesses in New Mexico have experienced, on average, a 35-40% drop in revenue in 2020 with no end in sight.
Yes, employees have felt the brunt of the economic downturn, and we need to do things to relieve their financial suffering. Passing the bill is an important and necessary step for all workers in New Mexico, however the amount of sick leave being earned needs to be reasonable in appreciation of the burden it places on struggling businesses. This was recognized at the federal level where the (Senate voted against a minimum wage increase) in the Biden relief package . ... It is a good idea, but the timing is wrong.
The proposed bill has sick leave earning rates much higher than other states with existing paid sick leave laws. The proposed rates for New Mexico at one hour per 30 hours worked should be brought down to the same level of other states where all employees earn paid sick leave at a one hour per 40 hours worked level. This will bring the part-time worker into the paid sick leave umbrella without exacerbating the full-time worker sick leave schedules already in place for most businesses. This would mean that companies competing in national markets will have a more even playing field with companies located in other states. Vote “yes” for the workers in New Mexico and “yes” for small businesses. We can pass a balanced bill that achieves both.
GARY L. SIMS ARS Services LLC, Corrales