Workers in California will soon receive a minimum of five days of paid sick leave annually, instead of three, under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Wednesday.

The law, which takes effect in January, also increases the amount of sick leave workers can carry over into the following year. Newsom said it demonstrates that prioritizing the health and well-being of workers “is of the utmost importance for California’s future.”

“Too many folks are still having to choose between skipping a day’s pay and taking care of themselves or their family members when they get sick,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his action.

  • Serdan@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Uhh… how is there not a guillotine in front of every state capitol building?

    I burned out and have been sick for half a year. I’ve begun working a bit again (aiming for 9 hours / week).

    Full pay throughout.

    Do Americans not realize just how badly they’re getting shafted?

    • Xanthrax@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Too many boomers think it’s a necessary evil, because they used to be able buy a house with minimum wage.

      “If I had to do it, so should you…”

      • Serdan@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        I get that they screwed over every subsequent generation, but they’re all 60+ at this point. You can just beat them up. What are they gonna do? Be old at you?

        More seriously, enough people are impacted by this that if you organized you could have activists hounding the elected representatives every hour of every day. E.g. drown them in lobby visit requests. Also just show up and knock on doors. Be disruptive. Your state is trying to squeeze every last drop of blood out of you. It’s not acceptable.

      • Serdan@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        The US political system is a Kafkaesque nightmare of despair and loathing. I’m not sure I’d vote either. That’s why I’m advocating direct action. Any politician who votes for people to be miserable and die, should not be allowed a moment of peace.

    • NuPNuA@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I’ve been fortunate enough not to have any major illnesses in my life to date, but the other year I had a bit of a breakdown in the office that turned out to be anxiety disorder manifesting itself, I took two weeks off to get myself straight and start medication, all paid. I can’t imagine trying to deal with anxiety, while also being worried I’m losing pay while doing so.

    • Serdan@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Just to really drive the point home:

      About half my salary is covered by the state. The rest is insurance.

      That’s about $2800 I’m legally entitled to. If we assume 35% tax that gets me ~$1820 every month for 6 months while being sick that I’m guaranteed. Rent is ~700, so I’d have about $1000 for food and necessities.

    • NuPNuA@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I’ve been fortunate enough not to have any major illnesses in my life to date, but the other year I had a bit of a breakdown in the office that turned out to be anxiety disorder manifesting itself, I took two weeks off to get myself straight and start medication, all paid. I can’t imagine trying to deal with anxiety, while also being worried I’m losing pay while doing so.

    • MeanEYE@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Even though am not an USA citizen I can easily see how this situation can happen anywhere. Unless you have knee jerk reaction, a la France, to any law change and end up with protests on the street with cars burning and fighting with cops all of this can creep up slowly. Slight reductions over long periods of time and people will just ignore it.