Group wants CT to be 4th state with paid family, medical leave

Hutchins said the governor’s proposal is more generous than the three states that already have paid family leave. In California and New Jersey, workers can collect benefits for six weeks, and Rhode Island imposes a four-week limit.

Sackets Harbor dairy farmer Ronald C. Robbins – whose operation employs 35 full-time workers – said he’s concerned the governor’s proposal could result in the farm losing workers for long periods of time during the harvest season.

“The fact that it’s an employee-based contribution is a significant change and there are a number of states that already have paid family leave, and I think we’re in throes of looking at different models just to see what’s going on in other states”, said Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan.

While the labor committee is drafting a bill, Bailey said advocates expect the proposal will largely mirror legislation that was introduced past year.

Four states and the District of Columbia have family leave policies that provide paid leave for employees to care for sick or disabled family members or a new child. He said the 12 weeks do not have to be taken consecutively, which could be hard for employers to manage.

Stewart-Cousins rallied with Cuomo in Harlem at one of two paid family leave events held this week, pushing GOP lawmakers on the issue. “I look forward to continuing my work on this”, said Romero.

The New York State Business Council said the governor’s plan would create the most expansive and least business-friendly paid family leave law in the nation.

The much larger Connecticut Business & Industry Association contends workers will lose wages and employers will have to adjust for employee absences for up to 12 weeks while still providing them fringe benefits.

The annual deduction from workers’ paychecks would increase to an estimated $1.09 a week.

State workers, though, are able to use their personal or sick leave to help care for a new child or spouse recovering from pregnancy.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses called paid leave a preposterous and untenable proposal that would hurt small businesses. “It is not something that costs business money”, said Sen.

“For an employer, there are enormous hidden costs”, Nojay said in an interview February 3.

To cover the cost, a state fund would be established by deducting pay from all employees statewide.

The paid family leave is a double whammy to businesses, who are already anticipating the passage of Cuomo’s budget proposal to phase-in the minimum wage to $15 an hour.