Partner Sonja McGill is quoted in the November 21, 2019, United Press International article titled, “U.S. businesses take minimum wage hikes, sick leave to court.” The piece details new (and on-hold) laws and ordinances that states and municipalities have adopted in recent years to raise the minimum wage and provide sick leave for employees. In Texas, three cities – Austin, Dallas and San Antonio – have all adopted a sick leave ordinance. (Dallas’ regulation is the only one currently in effect and all three face ongoing legal challenges.)

The article notes that some commentators view these twin initiatives as an attempt to strengthen the “safety net” for employees, particularly those who work for a franchise or small business with fewer than 50 people and are not covered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). To this point, McGill commented, “This is just another layer to give people comfort that they’ll be paid while they’re sick. There’s no guarantee they would be working for companies covered by FMLA. The [sick leave] ordinance is definitely geared toward these folks. It’s a huge step up for people in that situation.”

To read the full article, please click here.