Paid sick leave measures were widely supported by voters in the US states of Missouri, Alaska, and Nebraska this past Election Day. The majority in Alaska was 57%, in Missouri it was 58%, and in Nebraska an impressive 74% of voters approved the measures. These initiatives, set to come into effect in May for Missouri, July for Alaska, and October for Nebraska, grant workers accrued sick time based on the size of their employer. Companies with 15 or more employees in Missouri and Alaska, or 20 or more in Nebraska, will offer up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year. Smaller businesses will provide up to 40 hours annually. The time can be used for personal illness or for caring for a sick family member. This benefit is considered key to helping and retaining low-income workers who often lack access to paid sick leave. Paid leave laws have been established at the state level in the US as there is no national paid leave policy. The three new laws bring the number of states with their own paid sick time laws to 18, plus Washington D.C.

Alaska and Missouri also passed measures to increase their minimum wages to $15 an hour, echoing changes made in 30 other states. The federal minimum wage stands at $7.25 an hour and hasn’t been increased within the past 15 years. Despite the passing of these progressive policies, neither President-elect Donald Trump nor Vice President Kamala Harris made any specific commitments regarding future paid sick leave or parental leave policy decisions. It’s uncertain what sort of paid leave policy Trump will pursue in his second term. The significance of workers’ need for paid sick leave isn’t considered a partisan issue according to Molly Weston Williamson, a senior fellow with a progressive think tank, Center for American Progress.

For more information on how these laws affect employment and employers, or for any questions related to how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave, you can visit eddcaller.com. The website provides comprehensive information and necessary contacts for a range of issues and inquiries. It particularly focuses on aiding workers in navigating the complexities of employment rights and benefits.