Tempe’s City Council has dropped an unpopular to plan require businesses within its boundaries to provide sick leave for their employees. The decision by the Council comes after maneuvers by Governor Doug Ducey and the Legislature to protect small businesses from the crippling proposal, according to the Arizona Republic.
Shortly after Councilmembers began pushing the concept, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce spoke out in opposition. Mary Ann Miller, President & CEO, Tempe Chamber of Commerce wrote that the mandate would “place Tempe businesses at a disadvantage in the region, increasing their costs relative to the competitor down the street, or in some cases, across the street.”
Miller noted that because Tempe is only six miles wide, “most businesses would only have to locate a bit out of the city to capture the same market they would a mile or two in.”
According to Miller, the Chamber surveyed its members and of the 108 responses, “73% of those responding offer paid sick leave, 30% to all employees and 43% to full-time employees. More than half do not require a doctor’s note and another 27% ask for a note only if someone has been out for three days. And even though nearly three quarters of the respondents offer sick leave, 70% oppose it being mandated by the City of Tempe.”
Miller concluded with two comments she received from businesses: “If this “Paid Sick Leave” is mandated by (the) City, (our company) will not be able to afford to do some of the things we now do for our employees. (Things) such as bonuses, reimbursement for CTE education, company sponsorships and contributions will cease or decrease dramatically.”