Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2008 > August > 06 > Entry
Paid sick days — can we compromise?
Gov. Ted Strickland is trying to broker a compromise between unions and businesses that are arguing about whether Ohio should require employers to give seven days of paid sick leave each year.
The unions probably have enough signatures to get the question on the ballot. And they’re confident it will pass.
Businesses are opposed to the so-called Healthy Families Act, which would apply to employers with 25 or more workers. Big businesses — most of which already offer paid leave — point to ambiguities in the proposal, and they think it’s subject to all sorts of interpretation.
Small businesses that don’t offer paid time off don’t want to be forced to give this benefit.
Meanwhile, some business groups are opposed to the rules just on principle — they don’t want government setting these standards.
On Friday, Aug. 1, the governor released this document, which outlines businesses’ objections and how they could be mitigated. It suggests that there’s real give-and-take that’s possible.
The biggest issue — how many hours of leave would be enough to satisfy the unions and still would be something companies could agree to — isn’t worked out.
And there’s this problem: Lawmakers would have to pass any compromise legislation before Sept. 5. That’s the last date to pull the proposal from the ballot.
How do these changes look to you? (Click on the text to make it bigger.)
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment | Categories: State politics
Comments
By Philman
August 7, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Why don’t all of you people that think you know how to run a company get off your Duffs and go start one. Ohio has 4 cities voted to be the next Ghost towns by Forbes Magazine, including Dayton, if this passes what message does that send to someone wanting to start a new Company, how about NOPE NOT IN OHIO> the idiot Unions are pusjhing this. haven’t they run enough companies out of Ohio yet? ME thinks they must be getting kickbacks from other states to force our jobs out of Ohio.think of all the state and local and school employees,the cost will be tremendous and you and me Joe tax payer will foot there bill , as for the mfg world product costs will soar, and unemployment will skyrocket because many companies will just layoff people to stay under the 25 employee limit.who will pay for the increased unemployment, you and again.. VOTE NO>>>By Philman
August 7, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
How many more jobs have to leave Ohio before people wake up and pay attention.By Jeff
August 7, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
If this issue is placed on the ballot, it will pass and it will be bad for Ohio. Gee, who wouldn’t vote for something that seems to give them something for nothing? This is another example of a liberal group using the ignorance of the electorate to promote a bad law and expanded government. Throw a blanket law on the books and then let politicians and judges decided the details of enforcement? No way! Vote NO!!!!By TRS
August 7, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Lets see - how’s this for a scenario. I run a company, I’m looking to expand or relocate in the mid west. Ohio is the only state with a mandated sick leave policy among the 6 states I’m considering. Even though I already have sick leave policy for my employees I don’t like the fact that the state would dictate such a policy. To me, it looks like a hostile environment - scratch Ohio from my consideration.By jeff
August 8, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
is it any wonder why jobs have been leaving the state with such idiotic ideas as this. i am union but if i miss work i don’t get paid. i also live in a way that allows me to take time off if needed without it affecting my obligations. lets figure out a way to get more businesses to come to and stay in ohio.By Frank
August 8, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
‘Cough…cough’…No, no, I’m going in… ‘HACK! GAG!’ No, really, I gotta. Yeah,…’KA-CHOOooo!,’ I realize I’m contagious…’YAK-BARF,’… But I can’t afford to miss a day of work…’AchCHOO!’ Gotta…YAK…keep Ohio’s economy ‘BrraAAKKK’….going…strong…,’KAFF!’By deb
August 9, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Philman - every point you made, i had just finished making to some folks i was talking with..Ohio has sooooo many more important things to address than whether or not the small companies offer paid sick leave. We all know that there are companies that have better benefits than others…Folks - every one can interview for those companies….get the skills and education that is needed for those companies… I belong to a union….and i don’t agree w/ this proposal - hope it does make it to the ballot so that I can vote NO!!By sickdays
August 10, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
Every job I have had gives 5 paid sick days. Then, if you or your children get sick after those 5 sick days you could/can use a vacation day. I don’t know what the current federal/state laws on sick days are, but I would think 5 days would be a compromise.By mwm
August 11, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Federal employees get 13 sick days per year. And, can roll over any unused sick leave into the next year.. and on, and on and on. Federal employees also get up to 26 vacation days per year. We pay for this via taxes. So, 5 days of sick leave per year is a reasonable amount. With the ability to roll over unused leave. Or, require federal employees to get the same amount of leave as their civilian counterparts. Fair is fair.By The GQ
August 12, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
So tell me - who decides If I’m sick enough to take those 7 days? I don’t pray in school anymore, I don’t believe in the right to life, … so why not let me have 7 days off because I’m sick… Oh yes, my boss can’t ask what my illness is…maybe 14 days next yearBy Lea
August 12, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I have a better idea. Expand state-assisted healthcare insurance to include those of us who make less than $100 a year over the limit and have to provide for two kids and a spouse but cannot afford health insurance at all. I don’t mean give it to me free, I just would like reasonably priced healthcare to be available for my stepchildren since their mother does not want to be financially responsible since she doesn’t have custody. If I could keep the kids well maybe my husband and I wouldn’t need to take so much time off work. I’m union too and do get sick time but I never use it when I am sick, only when the kids are, because I can where my husband cannot making it easier to afford.By ks
August 12, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Can’t we come up with any more ways to discourage or handicap Ohio’s businesses? This thing is absurd. Unless our national mindset gets off of the government “giving out something for nothing”, we will continue to go down the tubes, with the unions leading the way. Businesses simply pass taxes and other costs on the consumer ….or move. (duh)By Bufordl
August 13, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Interesting that SEIU (Service Employees International Union) should be pushing this issue for adoption. Another instance of an organization/union that produces nothing, develops nothing, trying to get the public at large and businesses to reach into their collective packets and pay more for goods and services.By D.Hatfield
August 16, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
This is something that all emploees should have. Union or non-union should not make a difference. At the very least they should have three days but seven sounds better.By ron
August 16, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
I think it is good idea, all businesses do not like anything that benefit an employee. We are forced to work if sick, thus making it worse and if you work with the public, affects them. I think that companies who offer sick days should allow them to use them. I am given 5 sick days, but trying to use them I cannot. We are not a union, so am at the mercy of the owners. Something mandatory needs to be in place. And to all you who don’t like I am betting you make enough money not to worry about missing a day.By mwm
August 16, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Perhaps it is an issue of what is fair. If we in Ohio are trying to attract business, then, we try to make it affordable; with tax abatements and the like. However, if employment in a company means that the employees gives up all benefits just to have a job, it will not be worth the effort. Because, the employees will either move out of state or show poor performance. Essentially, you get what you pay for. And, if a company has lousy benefits, they will attract lousy employees.By Rick
August 21, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
I am a conservative and I am becoming impressed with Governor Strickland. He certainly calls ‘em as he sees ‘em. I think Ohio is well served by him.By truthdoctor
August 22, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
a business needs to be nimble and flexible to compete. we have to remember “jobs” belong to the business and not the worker. good workers are hard to find. even bad workers are hard to find. good business owners protect their employes. this idea would not give them the flexibility to reward or care for their employees. (maybe give them more than 7 days if needed)By Leslie
August 25, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
This should not be on the ballot. If it is please do not vote for it. Do we really want to be a state controlled totally by our government. I know it sounds good to get all of those days, but it is wrong for Ohio and for our country.By Mike
August 26, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
This is simply Strickland paying off a campaign debt. Issue of “fair”, what are you, a middle child who always felt cheated. Use common sense! Ohio economy is suffering and you want to add another tax to employers. Just because federal employees get a benefit doesn’t mean Ohio businesses should be burdened with the same. We are not talking about giving up all benefits we are talking about adding more! Keep your eye on the ball!By AF Nurse
August 31, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
To mwm, Yes a federal employee gets paid sick leave, but that person “also pays taxes!” So that time comes out of his pocket too. Want the same “bennies”, work where you can get them. Besides all of those days, many members turn over those days to someone else who needs them more when a prolonged illness hits their family.By Tom
September 1, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
If you think the job losses at GM, Delphi and DHL were bad, if this passes, we “ain’t” seen “nothin” yet.By lisa s
September 2, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Sick days are for sick people. If your children are sick this should also follow with a dr, excuse. People abuse them and thats wrong, @ this time we are lucky to have a job.By Lea
September 3, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
We call them “personal days” and they can be used for anything “personal” in nature. Like a sick child or sick self. Or just a day off. I don’t think they should be mandatory, but if they’re not available there should be some sort of flexibility. Things happen.By Barry
September 3, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
if you don’t play, you don’t get paidBy Acai Detox
September 4, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Nice bog you have here. I pretty much lurk the internet when I’m bored and read all I can about the organic lifestyle, but I really liked you view on things. I’ll bookmark the site and subscribe to the feed!By Steve Hull, Centerville
September 7, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I worked in an office environment for a large manufacturing company for 40 years. The policy was that if you were sick you should stay home and there was no allowed number of days. No one abused the policy. I was probably sick no more than 10 days in the 40 years and my co-workers were not much different. To give 7 days a year would have built up to 280 days in my case. This encourages workers to take off work when they are not sick. The company ends up paying a high price for this benefit either as lost productivity or in cash as a settlement when they retire. When a teacher takes Friday off, as sick, to play golf, the school has to hire a substitute teacher. If it’s a factory worker, they may have to bring in another shift worker on overtime to fill in. There may be some work environment where this makes sense, but it would be a terrible plan to mandate it for all.