Nebraska voters could decide whether to require paid sick leave

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Anti-poverty advocates in Nebraska say no one should have to choose between a paycheck and their health.

That’s why they’ve launched a new ballot initiative aimed at securing paid sick leave for every worker in the state.

The Nebraska Appleseed Action Fund says 250,000 Nebraskans work full-time without paid sick leave.

The issue has been debated in the state Legislature in the past, but it has never passed. 

“This has been an issue that grassroots advocates and state senators have worked on in the past through the legislative process, and it has stalled for several years,” said Jo Giles, executive director of the Women’s Fund of Omaha. “We just think it’s time that we take this issue to the people.” 

If approved, the amount of sick leave will depend on the size of the business.  

Giles said in smaller businesses with 20 or fewer employees, workers would be able to earn up to 40 hours of paid sick leave.

At larger employers, those with 20 or more employees, workers would be able to earn up to 56 hours of paid sick leave.

The petition would not affect employers who already offer more than these hours and employees who are part of union or other bargained agreements. 

Supporters said this process has just started.

Once the ballot language is approved, they will print petitions and start collecting signatures across the state.