BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Paid sick leave is coming to Nebraska. Now businesses are trying to figure out how to implement it. Melissa Wright in downtown Omaha, talking with business owners in this neighborhood about what comes next for them.
Starting October 1 of next year, all employers will have to provide paid sick leave to part time and full time employees.
“I think when our employees are sick, we don’t want them to be here, anyway,” said Debra McKnight.
Here at the Urban Abby, its a small team of 8 people. Debra Mcknight.. one of the founding pastors of the coffee shop sees this as an opportunity for businesses who received taxpayer help during covid to return the favor.
“As community, so many businesses received PPP funds and ERC funds from this covid period. So, I just think this is probably a good time for businesses to give back and to make sure our whole community is healthy and safe,” said McKnight.
Now that initiative 436 has passed, businesses with less than 20 employees will have to provide five days of sick leave. Businesses with over 20 employees will provide seven days. For part-time employees— they will receive one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours they work.