S.A.’s rules on sick leave are just bad business

By Chris Tomlinson of The Houston Chronicle. Excerpts:

"If employees average a few sick days a year, that will significantly increase labor costs. Small businesses in San Antonio are expected to pay an additional $16 million a year under this law, economists at St. Mary’s University say.

The study also found that small businesses could see an $11 million benefit from increased productivity, workforce stability and other factors. But those are indirect savings. Companies pay increased labor costs in cold, hard cash."

"The only good news came for seasonal businesses, which do not have to provide the benefit to employees who work less than 90 days. Expect a lot more companies to hire seasonally.

San Antonio businesses had hoped the council would recognize how restaurants, plumbing companies, property managers and temp agencies have different business plans and different needs. They use benefits in different ways to attract or reward workers.

Some business owners are admittedly cheap and recalcitrant, but others offer low-skilled people a chance to better themselves with no-frills jobs. Some companies hire engineers, while others employ teens.

How many companies will employ fickle teens if they must provide three consecutive days of paid sick leave before asking for a doctor’s note? Companies will rethink whom they hire.

Council members, fearing reprisals at the ballot box, gave activists what they wanted. But the odds of the ordinance surviving a court challenge are low."