BG Note | Policy - Austin Council Approves Paid Sick Leave

Austin_City_Hall_Front.JPG

OVERVIEW: The Austin City Council at its February 15 meeting approved an ordinance requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to workers. Austin is now currently the only Texas city with such a requirement. The vote was 9-2 (Council Members Ellen Troxclair and Ora Houston dissenting). 

WHAT IT DOES: Requires employers to provide employees one hour of earned sick time for every 30 hours worked for the employer. Employees at firms with five or more workers will be able to accrue up to eight days of paid sick leave, while firms with less can accrue up to six. 

WHO IS AN EMPLOYEE?: The ordinance defines employees as: An individual who performs at least 80 hours of work for pay within the City of Austin in a calendar year for an employer, including work performed through the services of a temporary or employment agency.

WHO IS AN EMPLOYER?: The ordinance defines employers as: Any person, company, corporation, firm, partnership, labor organization, non-profit organization or association that pays an employee to perform work for an employer and exercises control over the 8 employee’s wages, hours and working conditions. 

ENFORCEMENT: A civil penalty of up to $500 per violation may be assessed following notice of a violation and 10 business days to remedy. Enforcement will begin in October 2018 for firms of five or more, and October 2020 for firms of less than five employees.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Email us at: info@binghamgp.com

VIDEO of the hearing can be found here (Item 49)

//The Bingham Group 

The Bingham Group, LLC is an Austin-based full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on municipal, legislative, and regulatory matters throughout Texas.

PLEASE RESHARE and FOLLOW:

Twitter: @binghamgp // #binghamgp #binghamgroup

Instagram: @binghamgroup // #binghamgp #binghamgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/binghamgp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajbingham

WANT TO GET OUR DAILY MORNING UPDATES? CONTACT US HERE.