Mayor Michael Nutter has accepted his Paid Sick Leave Task Force's final report which contained recommendations on leave policies in Philadelphia. The report recommends requiring employers with 15 or more employees to provide paid sick leave to qualifying employees; employers with fewer than 15 employees to provide unpaid, earned sick time that follows the paid sick leave accrual requirements, a wait period for use and accrual of sick leave hours, retention of existing employer policies if they satisfy or exceed the accrual requirements, and employers to keep records of hours worked, earned time accrued and sick time taken by employees for a period of two years.
“Paid sick leave is a complicated policy question that profoundly impacts employees and employers,” said Mayor Nutter. “I did not support previous Paid Sick Leave legislation in the past because of the possible significant losses of job opportunities and the overall state of the regional economy. I do not want to put Philadelphia at a competitive disadvantage. However, our city’s economy continues to grow and is stronger than it has been in a long time. It was the right time for a comprehensive review of the likely impact of paid sick leave for employees, businesses and the entire city. I am proud to accept this report and review the recommendations.”
Councilman William Greenlee said that he looks forward to introducing a paid sick leave bill in 2015.
“Paid sick leave is a complicated policy question that profoundly impacts employees and employers,” said Mayor Nutter. “I did not support previous Paid Sick Leave legislation in the past because of the possible significant losses of job opportunities and the overall state of the regional economy. I do not want to put Philadelphia at a competitive disadvantage. However, our city’s economy continues to grow and is stronger than it has been in a long time. It was the right time for a comprehensive review of the likely impact of paid sick leave for employees, businesses and the entire city. I am proud to accept this report and review the recommendations.”
Councilman William Greenlee said that he looks forward to introducing a paid sick leave bill in 2015.
The Mayor’s task force spent the majority of its time researching the current business landscape in Philadelphia, implications related to public health, healthcare access, impact on workers and their families, and what other jurisdictions have enacted. The Task Force then considered the needs of businesses, protection of the public health, the health and economic stability of workers, and the overall quality of life of those working in Philadelphia.
As of November 2014, 16 cities and 3 states have paid sick leave ordinances. Philadelphia City Council previously passed paid sick leave bills in 2011 and 2013. Both bills were vetoed due to concerns about the slow progress of economic recovery following the Great Recession and the potentially negative impact on local businesses and job creation.
The Task Force was created on June 12, 2014 with appointee selections based on their professional expertise. Source: Mayor Nutter's Office.
As of November 2014, 16 cities and 3 states have paid sick leave ordinances. Philadelphia City Council previously passed paid sick leave bills in 2011 and 2013. Both bills were vetoed due to concerns about the slow progress of economic recovery following the Great Recession and the potentially negative impact on local businesses and job creation.
The Task Force was created on June 12, 2014 with appointee selections based on their professional expertise. Source: Mayor Nutter's Office.
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