Swine Flu Stories
(2009-10-05)
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SEATTLE, WA
(KPLU) -
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Concern about the swine flu epidemic has some tribal casinos reconsidering their sick leave policy. It tells workers they face firing if they call in sick on busy days. The news that the policy even existed has a lot of people asking, "Can an employer really do that?"
When it comes to tribal casinos, the answer is, Yes. The tribes are sovereign entities and can set their own employment practices and sick leave policies.
But employers covered by Washington state laws also have the right to fire workers for calling in sick. The state does not regulate sick leave.
It's something state Senator Karen Keiser (D-Kent) hopes to change. She's drafting a bill that would require employers to provide paid sick leave for employees.
"If we have people in a flu pandemic who are not allowed to stay home from work without losing their job, we may have a public health problem," she said.
The Association of Washington Business is against a paid sick leave law. Spokeswoman Jocelyn McCabe says a better approach is to encourage businesses to examine their sick leave policies in light of a possible flu epidemic.
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