Sen. Franken Introduces Bill Mandating Paid Sick Leave For All Workers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A new proposal from Sen. Al Franken would allow all workers to earn sick time if they or a family member are under the weather.
Franken says 43 million workers don't have paid sick days, and many are forced to come to work when they don't feel well.
Jes Eiklenberg was a waitress at a restaurant in Stillwater. She called in sick after getting the flu on New Year's Day, then says her boss fired her the next day.
"Who wants to have a sick person giving them their food or making their food? Nobody wants that," she said. "How many single moms are there that lose their jobs taking care of something they have to do?"
The proposed legislation would allow workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours on the clock. Lawmakers estimate that would come to about 5 days for part-time workers.