As President Obama Extends Paid Leave to Federal Workers, Brown to Call for Passage of Bill That Would Help the Nearly 2 Million Ohioans Without Paid Sick Leave

Press Release

With flu season in full swing and with President Obama signing an Executive Order to expand paid leave for federal workers, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will call for passage of the Healthy Families Act (HFA), legislation that would help the 1,966,691 Ohioans who don't have paid sick leave.

"For too many Americans, a sick day means a day without pay," Brown said. "Because healthy workers are often more productive workers, paid sick leave isn't just the right thing to do -- it's good for business. But not all employers recognize this, and many workers are left without unions to stand up for them. The Healthy Families Act would allow American workers to earn the sick leave that would once have been negotiated on their behalf by unions through collective bargaining. Paid sick days save employers money. They reduce turnover and help increase productivity. Paid sick days are vital to maintaining public health."

In 2013, Brown joined an Ohio employer to announce his support for the HFA, legislation which would allow workers to earn paid sick time while protecting business owners. The HFA would ensure that workers have access to paid sick leave.

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