The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that 2018 has seen thousands of flu-related hospitalizations and hundreds of deaths. Experts suggest part of the reason the flu is so widespread is because many people do not have paid sick time, and thus simply cannot afford to stay home when they’re feeling ill.
Local leaders in Austin, Texas, decided to address this problem. The Austin City Council voted 9 to 2 to make paid sick leave mandatory for non-governmental employees. Austin is the first city to do so.
According to Fast Company:
[lborder]Beginning October 1, businesses with 15 or fewer employees, will have to cover 48 hours total of paid sick leave, equal to six full eight-hour work days. All other private employers will be required to provide up to 64 hours of paid sick leave … So-called micro-businesses, with five or fewer employees, will also be required to give paid sick leave, but not until October 2020. Employees will accrue paid sick leave at the rate of one hour per 30 worked.
[/lborder]As though we needed another reason to consider a move to Austin.
