Today, Wendy Chun-Hoon, executive director of Family Values @ Work, a network of 27 state coalitions working for paid sick & safe days, family & medical leave insurance and other policies that value families at work, released the following statement regarding Colorado’s passage of a paid sick time law:
Family Values @ Work celebrates the results of years of hard work that led Colorado to become the 15th state to institute a law guaranteeing workers can earn paid sick and safe days. We commend Governor Jared Polis and Colorado’s lawmakers for passing and signing into law the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, which provides for permanent paid sick days as of January 2021 and an immediate allotment of up to two weeks additional time during a public health emergency. This win is a testament to the commitment and leadership of the Colorado FAMLI coalition with a special shout-out to 9to5 Colorado, Colorado Fiscal Institute, COLOR, and A Better Balance.
Read 9to5 Colorado’s statement here.
The Healthy Families and Workplaces Act is one of the best local paid sick time bills won legislatively in the country. The law enables workers to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked; that’s up to 48 hours of universal paid sick time and up to 80 hours during a public health emergency. The bill immediately covers everyone carved out of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. People may use the time to care for their own illness or injury, or that of a family member, for preventative care, and for specific circumstances involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. As of January 2022, the law will apply regardless of employer size.
Colorado joins 14 other states, DC and nearly two dozen local jurisdictions with paid sick days laws.This is a win not just for Colorado workers, but for the movement for paid leave for all as a whole. FV@W will continue to work with its 27 state coalitions nationwide to win permanent paid sick days and family and medical leave insurance for all workers because everyone should have access to paid leave, no matter where they live, where they work, or who they love.
