Greater Utica Chamber opposes ‘Paid Sick Leave Act’

UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce says it opposes a proposal that would amend New York state’s labor laws to require all employers to provide paid sick leave to employees.

The Greater Utica Chamber referred to the proposal as the “Paid Sick Leave Act.”

The organization’s board of directors approved a resolution stating its opposition on Feb. 11, although the Greater Utica Chamber didn’t announce it until Wednedsay.

In outlining its reasons for opposition, the chamber said it “opposes the imposition of any additional costs on small business.”

It also believes that increasing the cost of doing business in New York is “counterproductive” when municipalities are trying to lure new companies to the state.

The Greater Utica Chamber also contends that mandating payment when hourly workers are out sick places “an additional burden” on the business community when taxation is “already a hindrance” to conducting business.

The organization is also worried that such an amendment would force businesses to cut hours, lay off workers, or raise prices to compensate for the additional cost of paid sick leave.

“Many employers that are able to absorb the cost already offer paid sick leave as an incentive when hiring new employees,” the chamber said in its resolution.

New York City and Newark, NJ have recently adopted laws mandating paid sick leave, and more states like New York are starting to take up the issue.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com