Paid Sick Leave In Philadelphia – Round 2

Reporter: Rock, you got anything derogatory to say about the champ?

Rocky Balboa: Derogatory? Yeah. He’s great.

{Just needed to get that out of my system}

Guess what’s back in Philadelphia City Council. It’s the “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces” Bill, otherwise known as paid sick leave.

Here is a breakdown of the bill:

• Who is covered? Philadelphia businesses employing six or more people.
• How does sick time accrue? Employees would accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked in Philadelphia, up to a maximum of 56 hours of paid sick time in a calendar year. (Employees in business of 6-10 employees accrue a maximum of 32 hours of paid sick time in a calendar year).
• When does sick time begin to accrue? When employment begins. However, employees would not be able to use any paid sick time under 90 days later, at the earliest.
• What can employees use sick time for? Themselves, sick family members, and absences due to domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.
• Does sick time carry-over from year to year? Yes, but it can’t exceed 56 hours (32 hours) in any one year.
• Can an employment implement more generous paid sick leave policies? As far as the City is concerned, please do.
• What’s the penalty for violating the law?  An employee may file interference or retaliation claims in court. A prevailing plaintiff gets actual damages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees.

Now some of you may be thinking, “Eric doesn’t Philadelphia already have paid sick leave?” Yes, but only for City employees and certain employers who do business with the City. More on that here.

Others of you may be thinking, “Eric, this Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces bill sounds awfully familiar. Where have I seen it before?” You saw it here, silly, back in 2011. City Council proposed a very similar version of the bill and Mayor Nutter vetoed it. Since that time, however, Seattle, Washington and the State of Connecticut have mandated paid sick leave.

Will Philadelphia join the ranks?

You’ll just have to click here everyday — EVERY day — to find out.