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Executive Order Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors
September 7, 2015
President Obama signed an Executive Order establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors. Section 1 of the Policy states, "This order seeks to increase efficiency and cost savings in the work performed by parties that contract with the Federal Government by ensuring that employees on those contracts can earn up to 7 days or more of paid sick leave annually, including paid leave allowing for family care."
The Executive Order requires federal contractors to offer their employees up to seven days of paid sick leave per year. The President is calling on Congress to pass legislation expanding paid sick and family leave, and he will announce new Department of Labor rules giving federal contract workers new tools to demand equal pay.
EXPANDING SICK LEAVE AND OTHER ACTIONS FOR WORKERS
- Guaranteeing Sick Leave for Federal Contract Workers: While roughly 60 percent of workers are eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family and medical reasons for more extended absences, many workers are without coverage for shorter-term health care needs and others may not be able to afford to stay home sick if it means the loss of pay.
- Calling on Congress to Expand Leave to Millions More Workers: In addition to issuing Monday's Executive Order, the President is renewing his call for Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act, which would require all businesses with 15 or more employees to offer up to 7 paid sick days each year. He is calling for the passage of federal legislation guaranteeing every working American paid family and medical leave to care for a new child, a seriously ill family member, or their own serious illness. The Department of Labor is also releasing a report, "The Cost of Doing Nothing " that explores the costs to workers, families, businesses, and the nation of not taking action to expand paid family and medical leave to millions of workers without it today.
- Strengthening Rights to Equal Pay: Women are the primary breadwinners for 40 percent of U.S. children, but the typical woman makes about 78 percent of what the typical man makes - which means less for families' everyday needs, less for investments in our children's futures, and, when added over a lifetime of work, substantially less for retirement. The President is announcing that this week the Department of Labor will publish a final rule prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating against employees and job applicants who choose to discuss their compensation. The rule - issued under an April 2014 Executive Order - does not compel workers to discuss pay. However, it provides a critical tool to encourage pay transparency, and make it easier for workers to recognize pay discrimination and seek appropriate remedies.
This information is intended to be educational and should not be considered legal advice on any specific matter. |
