The city will hold a series of public meetings this month about a proposal to require all private employers to offer paid time off to employees within the city limits.

Under the proposal, brought by Councilmember Regina Romero:

  • Businesses would be required to give workers one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked.
  • Employees could begin to use earned sick time after 90 days of employment and could use up to 40 hours a year at a small business โ€” one with fewer than 10 employees โ€” or up to 56 hours per year at a larger businesses.
  • Businesses would not be allowed to require workers to find someone to cover their shifts while using sick time.
  • Complaints would be filed with the cityโ€™s Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. Employers who donโ€™t follow the rules could be fined.

The Tucson Metro Chamber opposed the proposal. โ€œThis ordinance is ill-conceived and will in turn hurt those it aims to help,โ€ the board of directors said in a press release.

Other groups opposed include industry associations for restaurants and retailers. Supporters include womenโ€™s associations and labor unions.

The public meetings are planned for:

โ€ข 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Ward 5 Office, 4300 S. Park Ave.

โ€ข 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Ward 6 Office, 3202 E. First St.

โ€ข 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Ward 2 Office, 7575 E. Speedway

• Comment by email to econdev@tucsonaz.gov. Use "Earned Sick and Safe Time" in the subject line.


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Contact reporter Becky Pallack at bpallack@tucson.com or 573-4346. On Twitter: @BeckyPallack