As for the chances of a paid sick leave ordinance here, Steve Werner with the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business says it all depends on who’s behind it.
“At the societal level it could come from nonprofit, nongovernment organizations that are looking for more social equality or it could come from city officials who feel strongly about this,” explained Werner.
Austin City Council drafted its sick leave ordinance with input from the Center for Public Policy Priorities, a left-leaning advocacy group.
Proponents of sick leave mandates see it as a quality of life issue, where people aren’t being forced to go to work when they’re not well. Those against the mandates say they put cities at a disadvantage because they’re placing more regulations on business.
The ordinance goes into effect in Austin this October. Companies with over 15 employees have to offer eight days of paid sick leave. Companies with six to 15 employees must provide six days. If a business has five employees or less, they won’t have to comply with the mandate until 2020.
The council vote to approve the ordinance was 9-2.