Lawmakers Debate Paid Sick Leave Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- There could be some relief for workers who must choose between staying home or going to work sick. Lawmakers are considering a bill that allows employees to earn paid sick leave.

Political reporter Pat Warren reports it might take some convincing.

Doreen Hicks is a janitor.

"I'm there no matter what. I go to work sick. I come home sick and tired," she said.

Tired of having to choose between getting well or losing a day's pay. So is single mom Megan Sennett.

"I was ignoring signs that I was getting sick. If I take a day off of work, I don't get paid. I've had to make a tough decision between taking time off when my children are sick or sending them to work sick," Sennett said.

A bill to ease that dilemma allows workers to earn sick time, which would have eased Sennet's burden when she had to take five days off.

"Just taking a week off and not having income from any of my jobs---it probably took two or three months to really catch up," she said.

But opponents object to the state forcing employers to pay people who are not working.

"We oppose this bill because of its cost to employers, how broad it is, the administrative burdens it will impose and the increase in litigation that will arise," said Shelby Skibeck, Maryland Chamber of Commerce.

The bill is introduced in the Senate and also sponsored in the House.

President Barack Obama is also calling for earned sick time nationwide.