Lawmakers call for emergency sick-leave requirement

Lawmakers are calling for new legislation that would require businesses to provide paid emergency sick-leave because of the swine flu pandemic. The Los Angeles Times reports: "Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), chairing a health subcommittee hearing Tuesday, said that requiring businesses with 15 or more employees to offer seven paid days off a year would end a dangerous choice 'between staying healthy and making ends meet.'"

 Some conservative lawmakers argue, though, "that Democrats are using a public health crisis as momentum for faulty legislation that would harm businesses by inviting abuse by workers. ... There currently is no requirement for businesses of any size to provide paid sick leave" (Markman, 11/11).