The full State Senate is scheduled to vote on a bill (S-785) Thursday to mandate that companies pay sick leave to employees that don’t receive the benefit now.

But New Jersey Business and Industry Association president Michele Siekerka in a conference call Wednesday said the move would only hurt small businesses.

Under the paid sick leave measure, which is sponsored by State Senate Majority leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck), employees would accrue one hour of earned sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

The employer would not be required to permit the employee to accrue more than 40 hours of earned sick leave if the company has less than 10 employees in the state, or more than 72 hours of earned sick leave if there are 10 or more employees.

“Workers who need time off to care for themselves or a family member should not be forced to make the unfair choice between their health and a paycheck,” said Weinberg when her bill was approved by the Senate Labor Committee in June. “Earned sick leave is a basic workers’ right that should be extended to all employees. It will create a healthier and safer work environment for our residents, but also will protect the health of the public.”

The paid sick leave mandate would hurt small businesses, and more than 70 percent of small business owners offer the benefit now because that’s how they stay competitive and attract and retain good employees, Siekerka said.

“Any mandate on paid sick leave provides a one-size-fits-all approach and we know that fails to take into consideration the individual needs of any business,” she said. “We know that this is going to be an increased cost on business.”

Kevin McArdle has covered the State House for New Jersey 101.5 news since 2002. Contact him at kevin.mcardle@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @kevinmcardle1.

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