Family Values @ Work congratulates Oregon on its vote to pass a sick days bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2015
CONTACT: Margy Levinson, margy.levinson@berlinrosen.com, 646-335-0441 and Leslie Patterson, leslie@berlinrosen.com, 646-200-5326

Oregon becomes the fourth state to pass paid sick days, furthering momentum around paid sick days and paid family leave

With today’s vote in the House, Oregon is poised to become the fourth state in the nation to pass legislation guaranteeing that workers can earn sick time. An estimated half million workers will gain access to up to five days a year (paid time for those in firms of ten or more, unpaid but job-protected for those in smaller companies.) Workers can use the time to care for themselves or an ill family member or in instances of domestic violence. The bill also protects employees from retaliation or discrimination for the use of sick time

Ellen Bravo, executive director of Family Values @ Work and one of the nation’s leading experts on paid sick days and paid family leave policies, released the following statement:

“Today’s passage of paid sick days for all Oregonians is a huge victory that will bolster the health and safety of families and communities throughout Oregon. Along with the 20 other coalitions in the Family Values @ Work network, I want to congratulate the Everyone Benefits Coalition and especially Family Forward Oregon, whose persistence and leadership means most Oregon workers won’t have to choose between following doctor’s orders and putting food on the table. Oregon’s passage is further proof of the undeniable momentum for paid sick days sweeping the country, as more and more elected officials and candidates recognize this is not only an essential economic concern for working families – it’s a winning political issue.”

Momentum around paid sick days is growing rapidly at the local, state and federal levels. Oregon joins three other states and 18 cities that have already passed paid sick days laws, with more expected to join this year, including in Montgomery County, MD where a vote is likely later this month. Recent polls show that four out of five Americans support requiring employers to offer paid family leave, with even higher support for requirements that workers be able to earn paid sick days.