New law to make Maine first state with paid sick time that covers more than getting sick

AUGUSTA — Most of Maine’s workforce is guaranteed access to paid sick time under a bill Gov. Janet Mills signed into law Tuesday.

The law provides workers with companies that have 10 or more employees an hour of sick time for every 40 hours they work, up to a maximum of 40 hours of time off a year. The paid time could be used for an illness or family emergency.

“Like most Mainers, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had to take a day off from work to take care of a sick child, family member or had some type of emergency calling them away from work,” Mills said during ceremonial signing of the bill at the State House. “It’s not something people want to do, they value their jobs and in Maine people have a good work ethic and we are proud of that.”

When a worker becomes ill they should be able to take time off without suffering a loss of income, Mills said.

Read more: https://www.pressherald.com/2019/05/28/maine-workforce-gets-paid-sick-days/