Jersey City Expands Its Law and Elizabeth Votes for Paid Sick Days

Elizabeth, New Jersey became the twenty-sixth jurisdiction in the U.S. – and the tenth in New Jersey! – to pass earned sick time when [TK] percent of voters said Yes! to a November 3 ballot initiative. “Tonight is a victory for Elizabeth’s business owners as well as workers,” said Erick Cedano, owner of Fast Photo Plus. “When workers can earn paid sick days, they’re more productive and less likely to spread germs to customers or coworkers. Earned sick days will be a big benefit to working families, small businesses, and Elizabeth as a whole.”

Jersey City Expands Its Law 

The broad coalition that keeps winning earned sick days in New Jersey scored another win last month. With the help of findings from a Rutgers study, they were able to convince the City Council in Jersey City to strengthen its ordinance to bring it into line with ordinances that have passed in other towns. Employees in businesses with nine or fewer employees now earn up to three paid sick days a year (previously unpaid). The new law also ensures that workers who are in contact with the public, such as food service, child or elder care, earn up to five paid sick days a year, regardless of the size of the business. Lastly, the new law clarifies that the law applies to both full-time and part-time workers. Business owner Tony Sandkamp, who already offered paid sick days to his five employees, was one of those urging Council members to make this change. “I have a lot of tools in my shop, but earned sick days has been one of my favorites,” he said.