July 18, 2012 –
Mandatory paid sick leave may harm Florida businesses

Potential legislation: Mandatory paid sick time initiative has potential to harm employers

A joint alert brought to you by Gunster’s Labor & Employment and Government Affairs practices

If successful, the initiative would require businesses with at least 15 full- or part-time employees to offer paid sick time.

A coalition of employee groups are attempting to get onto the November ballot with an initiative to require Orange County businesses to grant their employees paid sick time.

The groups employ more than 200 individuals to obtain signatures by walking neighborhoods, standing in front of shopping centers, and participating in community events. To earn a ballot spot, the coalition known as Citizens for a Greater Orange County must gather 43,605 signatures from registered voters. Although this would be the first such initiative to make the ballot, the groups are on pace to succeed prior to the County’s 180-day deadline to obtain signatures. Over 28,000 signatures were submitted to date and more are surely to follow.

Currently about 225,000 workers in Orange County, or 46 percent of the private-sector work force, do not receive paid sick time.

If successful, the initiative would require businesses with at least 15 full- or part-time employees to offer paid sick time. Workers would be able to earn one hour of sick time for every 37 hours they work, up to a maximum of 56 hours of sick time.

Small businesses with fewer than 15 employees would not have to offer paid sick time, but they would not be allowed to retaliate against workers who take unpaid time off because they or a family member is sick.

If successful in Orange County, the impacts would be felt statewide, as labor costs increase and potential petitions are filed elsewhere.

It is necessary for Florida industry groups and employers to fight mandatory sick time regardless of the Orange County initiative’s outcome.

Preemptive action before the State Legislature must be taken in order to protect Florida’s business friendly climate.

For more information and to learn how this issue impacts your workforce, please contact Mark Bonfanti at 850-521-1721 or via email at [email protected].

Gunster’s Government Affairs practice:

Gunster’s Government Affairs practice is based in Tallahassee, the epicenter of government affairs in Florida, where they are positioned to monitor legislative or regulatory activity as it occurs, as well as work with leaders between sessions when important planning is taking place.

In every sector of the economy, business is significantly impacted by policies and decisions across all branches of state government and it’s no longer enough for companies to simply react to changes proposed by others.

The most effective approach in addressing issues, creating opportunity and protecting your bottom line involves working with decision makers and thought leaders outside of the conventional financial and legal arena.

Let us help you conform to established regulations or draft and shepherd legislation to proactively and successfully address the issues that concern you.

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