San Diego Votes To Extend COVID-19 Sick Leave to Businesses with Larger Workforce
The New Law Will Extend to San Diego Businesses with More than 500 Workers
San Diego, California – San Diego has voted to extend COVID-19 paid sick leave to workers at companies with 500 or more employees. The move is aimed at encouraging COVID-19 patients to stay at home to slow the spread of the infection.
The new law, which was passed on Tuesday by the San Diego City Council, will cover thousands of employees not covered by federal sick leave legislation. The legislation requires San Diego businesses with at least 500 workers to provide 80 hours of paid sick leave to any worker who gets infected with coronavirus or has an infected family member.
In April, the federal government passed a law that directed businesses with fewer than 500 workers to grant sick leave to infected employees. This federal legislation exempted at least 147 businesses in San Diego, the city treasurer estimated.
Supporters lauded the new law saying it would help reduce the spread of coronavirus and help many of the city’s workers stay healthy. However, critics said the legislation would burden the businesses already struggling due to the pandemic.
Los Angeles, San Francisco and several other cities in California have already passed similar legislation. San Diego’s law would remain in effect through the end of the year, when the federal legislation is scheduled to end.
“Maintaining the health of our residents and their families must be our No. 1 priority even during such troubling economic times,” Councilman Chris Ward said. “This would ensure San Diegans aren’t forced to choose between working and protecting their health, their families and the health of their co-workers” he added.
