Employers in Denver need not worry about adding paid sick and “safe” time leave for everyone who works for them at least 40 hours a week – voters rejected the proposal by an almost two-to-one margin
Denver’s Ballot Initiative 300 was defeated 66,719 votes (64 percent) to 37,498 (36 percent) Nov. 1.
A broad coalition of business groups, operating as Keep Denver Competitive, helped build opposition. Restaurant groups and hotels were among the most passionate and well-funded opponents.
The measure also was opposed by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a democrat, according to the Denver Post.
Supporters, including unions and other employee rights organizations, had high hopes for the ballot initiative. Efforts to get the measure passed at the state level failed in 2009 and 2010.
“The paid sick and safe time ballot initiative is all about protecting public health,” said Colorado Public Health Association president Kyle Legleiter, in a July news release. “Lower-wage workers in restaurants, childcare centers and medical caregiving need paid sick days to protect the diners, children and patients with whom they interact.”
The ballot measure would have required all employers in the city and county of Denver (except start-ups during their first year) to provide one hour of paid sick or safe leave for every 30 hours worked.
Employers with 10 or more workers would have had to offer up to nine days (72 hours) of leave per calendar year; smaller companies would have had to offer up to five days (40 hours per year.
Leave would have been available for treatment of an employee or employee’s family member’s physical or mental illness, to deal with child care issues or domestic violence, and other matters.
Earlier this year, Connecticut passed the first state law mandating paid sick leave. See this SmartHR post on that topic.