Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the new chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said he did not support President Obama’s call for expanded sick leave and paid medical leave, saying the proposal would do more harm than good by making it harder for employers to offer flexible work schedules.
“Americans have great freedom when it comes to work — they can choose the career they like and negotiate with their employer for the things they need,” Alexander said reacting to the White House’s proposal. “One more government mandate, however well-intentioned, will only reduce those freedoms — making it harder for employees to find jobs, negotiate for the things they need, and open and run businesses.”
The senator said the government’s mandate would cost employers $11.4 billion over five years if enacted, adding it would also reduce employment as businesses cut back to reduce their labor costs. A spokesman said the $11.4 billion figure came from the Congressional Budget Office.
The White House announced the push for expanded sick leave policies Wednesday. It is calling on Congress to appropriate $2 billion to encourage states to adopt paid sick leave programs. Currently, only three states — California, New Jersey and Rhode Island — have such policies.
The Family and Medical Leave Act allows public-sector workers and people who work at businesses with 50 or more employees to take up to 12 weeks leave for medical reasons without losing their jobs. The law does not require that the leave be paid.
An administration fact sheet argued that the plan would boost the economy. “Paid sick days would help reduce lost productivity due to the spread of illness in the workplace. And these policies can benefit our economy by fostering a more productive workforce.”
The president also will sign a memorandum requiring that all federal agencies provide six weeks of paid sick leave for new parent or a person with a serious medical problem. It also would apply to adopting a child or foster placement of one. The memorandum also would encourage federal agencies to provide “emergency backup care for children, seniors and adults with disabilities” for employees that need go to work.
Obama endorsed legislation sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-N.Y., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to expand paid sick leave. “Look no further than this season’s worse-than-expected flu outbreak to show why those who are sick should not be at work. All of our colleagues should join us in this effort to protect public health and give more parents some much-needed piece of mind,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
