A bill intended to expand employers’ requirements for provision of paid leave for workers in New Jersey encountered resistance when it was presented to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The existing state law mandates only businesses with 30 or more employees to offer extended paid leave, however, the proposed bill aims to lower that threshold to businesses with just five employees.

Despite the intent of the bill to broaden workers’ rights, backlash was faced both from the business community and advocates striving to ensure workers’ rights application across all workers in the state. Proponents argue that paid leave is a crucial aspect for workforce productivity and maintenance of a balance for employees caring for family members.

Concerns were raised by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, stating that the bill puts an overwhelming burden on small businesses within the state. The argument is that businesses with smaller payrolls would need to employ temporary workers, train these new employees and keep them on payroll while other employees are on leave, which can be excessively burdensome for companies of smaller size.

The bill advanced out of the committee and now has to progress through the senate in this lame-duck session in Trenton.