As another COVID year comes to a close, there’s confusion among employers who are balancing vaccine requirements with labor shortages and trying to keep up with changes to national, state and local labor laws. Some government mandates are facing challenges in court, but other COVID-related policies, like paid sick leave, will continue into 2022. Providing […]
paid sick leave
Posted inBusiness, COVID, Equity, Health, News
With federal COVID sick leave gone, workers feel pressure to show up at work
By Rae Ellen Bichell, KHN Economists and public health experts alike say paid sick leave is an essential tool — like testing, masks and vaccines — in the effort to prevent COVID-19 infection and keep workplaces safe. Yet the U.S. is in the midst of another COVID holiday season, and federal laws that offered COVID-related paid sick […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Sen. Winter, Rep. Gray: It’s time for Congress to catch up to Colorado on paid family leave
On election day 2020, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved a groundbreaking proposal to implement a paid family and medical leave program in our state – finally granting residents this essential benefit and ultimately paving the way for a nationwide shift. Now, six months later, President Joe Biden has proposed the American Families Plan, which would not […]
Posted inBusiness, COVID, News, Politics and Government
What’s Working: Minimum wage going to $12.32, plus how new COVID restrictions (and fraud?) has doubled unemployment
The number of new weekly unemployment cases has been inching higher for weeks with the latest number now double what it was in late September. That tracks to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Colorado and resulting local business restrictions. But the sudden uptick has the state Department of Labor and Employment wondering whether […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Colorado election 2020 results: President, Senate, House and ballot questions
Colorado voters set turnout records in the 2020 election, driven by huge interest in the presidential race, a major U.S. Senate contest, a close battle in the 3rd Congressional District and a series of significant ballot measures. The Colorado Sun is tracking the election results in these top races and updating the counts in real […]
Posted inBusiness, Education, Election 2020, Health, Outdoors, Politics and Government
Colorado 2020 election: A quick guide to the ballot questions on abortion, wolves, taxes, sick leave and more
Colorado voters will decide 11 statewide policy questions on the November ballot — a list of far-reaching measures that will help set the direction for the state’s future. The 2020 ballot asks voters whether Colorado should put limits on abortion and create a state program designed to provide paid time off to workers for medical […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
Eight states have programs that give workers paid time off. Does that help or hurt Colorado’s chances?
About 35,000 workers in New Jersey are taking paid time off each year to stay home with a new baby or care for a sick relative under that state’s paid family leave law, a program popular enough that lawmakers voted to bump up the max weekly benefit to $881 this year and extend it to […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Paid family, sick leave initiative makes Colorado ballot
An initiative asking Colorado voters if they want to create a $1.3 billion state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program has qualified for the November ballot. The secretary of state’s office said Tuesday that Colorado Families First, a liberal coalition, had submitted enough valid voter signatures to place the initiative on the ballot. More […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Coronavirus bills push lobbying to record total in Colorado. Here’s a look at the big spenders.
The total spent on lobbying at the Colorado Capitol topped $40 million this session — a record driven in part because of contentious last-minute legislation introduced in response to the coronavirus. The spending to lobby the Democratic-led General Assembly is nearly 12% higher than 2019 and $10 million more than in 2016, according to a […]
Posted inBusiness, COVID, News, Politics and Government
Colorado workers must be offered paid sick leave starting next year. Here’s what that means for you.
Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday signed into law a bill that will give nearly every Colorado worker the ability to earn up to six paid sick leave days annually starting next year. It’s considered one of the most progressive sick leave policies in the country and comes in response to the coronavirus crisis. Senate Bill […]