Should Your St. Augustine Business Offer Paid Sick Leave?

When it comes to business benefits, paid sick leave may be something you haven’t thought much about, unlike other business benefits, such as healthcare plans and a 401k plan, employees and business owners alike desire.  

If you are a small business owner in St. Augustine, it’s good to know what other companies are up to and how they’re handling a common business issue. If you don’t offer paid sick leave, you may not be alone, but the small percentage of companies out there that don’t allow employees to take time off for illness aren’t necessarily serving the best interest of their workers. Here are some of the reasons why offering paid sick leave can benefit your business.

What is Paid Sick Leave?

Paid sick leave is time off that employees can receive to tend to an illness, disability, or injury. During this time, you must pay your employees their total wages and will not lose their position due to taking this designated time off. These benefits are beneficial considering the health of your employees should be your top priority, especially in today’s world.  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 70 percent of private-sector workers don’t have access to paid sick leave, so this issue isn’t new. Paid Sick Leave has been around since the 1980s when Congress passed the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). This act mandated that “certain hospitals receiving Medicare funds must provide care to all patients needing treatment for an emergency medical condition regardless of their ability to pay.” Since then, states have started passing their laws regarding paid sick leave or providing provisions under their respective labor law. 

Benefits of Offering Paid Sick Leave 

There are numerous benefits to offering paid sick leave to your employees regardless of the size of your business. One of the most significant benefits is an increase in overall employee morale and productivity. As a business owner, there is nothing better than creating an environment where employees are more productive and happier to be working. For you, this can mean an increase in sales and customer satisfaction. 

Many if not all employees want to work for a business that understands their needs and takes care of them in times of need. When a severe illness or family issue arises, the added stress from being out of work can make the situation even worse. When you support your employees during times of need, they are more likely to stay loyal to your business, therefore, decreasing the turnover rate. 

The Bottom Line 

In the end, offering paid sick leave may not be the best option for every business; however, after discussing the many benefits, we hope that you give it a thought. Are you ready to change the way that you run your business’s payroll? Contact us today to find out how our payroll and HR services can help.