Small businesses owners have objected to a bill that could require employers to offer employees a number of guaranteed paid sick days. Local and state governments have asserted that this could save on healthcare costs for cities, but small businesses say it could break the bank.
Those that support the bill say that it would save $348 million annually because of increased productivity, slowed spread of infectious disease, and reduced employee turnover.
Small business owners and associations, however, worry about the possibility of losing billions of dollars worth of productivity and 16,000 jobs over the course of five years because of increased costs that could force them to reduce workforces, according to South Coast Today.
Businesses that are already struggling with operational costs, unemployment, healthcare costs, and energy could be put out of business and sick days should be negotiated in-house, according to Massachusetts AFL-CIO.
If small companies are already struggling to pay bills, make payroll and cannot afford to offer their employees benefits, they could consider a small business loan. With extra cash flow, they can afford operational costs and worry less about losing an employee for a day or two if they he or she becomes sick.
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