Jersey City Council Passes Guaranteed Sick Days For Workers

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Businesses in Jersey City will soon be required to offer paid sick days to their employees.

The City Council passed legislation 7-1 Wednesday night that would mandate employers guarantee sick days.

The bill still requires Mayor Steven Fulop's signature, but he has publicly supported the measure. Jersey City would become the first city in the state and the sixth in the country to approve such legislation.

"Paid sick leave will help working families in Jersey City so they won't have to choose between missing a day of work and caring for their own health or that of a family member," Fulop said in a statement, according to The Jersey Journal.

Advocates said the bill will allow 30,000 private-sector employees in businesses with 10 or more employees to earn up to five paid sick days a year. They say employees of smaller businesses could earn up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time.

Business groups say they're concerned about reduced productivity and increased costs.

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