Group collecting signatures to put paid sick leave on the ballot in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After paid sick leave for workers in Nebraska failed to make it out of the Legislature, a group has formed to start a ballot initiative.

Only 15 states have mandatory paid sick leave, but the organization Paid Sick Leave for Nebraskans hopes Nebraska can be the 16th.

“Currently, Nebraska parents and families without paid sick days face impossible choices either to send their sick kid to school or to lose a day’s pay,” said Jo Giles, executive director for the Women’s Fund of Omaha. “We really think this is a commonsense initiative that supports Nebraska values.”

SEE ALSO: Nebraska voters could decide whether to require paid sick leave

The amount of sick leave guaranteed would depend on company size.

Businesses with more than 20 employees would have to offer seven days of paid sick leave.

Companies with fewer than that would have to offer five days.

The requirement wouldn’t apply to union jobs or any government positions.