Guaranteed Paid Sick Leave Could Be Coming

Do you have paid sick leave?
If you don't, you could be getting it.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are talking about legislation to guarantee paid sick leave.
This is in part because of the swine flu pandemic.
But, how would such a move affect small business owners in Mobile?
The federal government has been telling people who are sick to stay home to help slow the spread of swine flu.
Democrats hope the pandemic will help show the United States needs guaranteed paid sick leave.
Senator Chris Dodd, a Democrat from Connecticut, said, "Lesotho, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland, and the United States: Those are the five countries that don't have paid sick leave in the world. That's nice company."
Many Republicans ask where is the money going to come from.
Republican Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming said, "If the vaccine isn't there, shouldn't the federal government reimburse the employer for the time that he has to do paid sick leave, and, perhaps, even the parent be reimbursed for the inconvenience?"
What do small business owners in Mobile think about the idea?
David Rasp owns Heroes Sports Bar and Grille.
He says, "I think it sounds great, on paper. Initially, its great that we can have concerns about the cost of health care. That's sort of been the big debate for well over a year now. I think, realistically, to apply that burden to a small business is a very difficult thing."
Roy Pope owns Busaba's Thai Cuisine.
Pope said, "Small businesses, we understand our employees, and we'll let them take some time off if they need to. But, to take time off and be paid, and small businesses are struggling by their boot straps right now to stay alive, I just think they need to stay out of our business."
One estimate from Congress is that 57 million Americans don't have paid sick and medical leave, and that most of those work in businesses that have contact with others.