The Mandated Paid Sick Leave Proposal or the Ohio Healthy Families Act is a citizen-lead proposal to change Ohio law.

On Thursday, September 4, 2008, the proponents, lead by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), announced they would be removing the Mandated Paid Sick Leave or Ohio Healthy Families Act from the November 2008 ballot. This is great news for the business community!

The proposal would have mandated all employers with 25 or more employees provide 7 paid sick days to all employees along with numerous recording keeping and administrative requirements.

Thank you to all our members that have expressed concern and taken action in response to this detrimental proposal. Our collective voice was heard and proved to be powerful to force the issue of the ballot.

Even though the proposal will not be on the November ballot, it is not a dead issue. It is being reported that it will appear again as a proposed national law on Capital Hill and that Governor Ted Strickland would support a national paid sick day bill.

The Chamber will continue to monitor and notify you of developments on the issue.

For more information please contact Megann Eberhart at (330) 237-1262 or eberhart@greaterakronchamber.org.