Paid Sick Time Starts For Morristown Workers

MORRISTOWN, NJ— Starting Wednesday, all Morristown workers will be able to start earning paid sick time, including those in the private sector.

The Earned Sick Days ordinance makes Morristown the first Morris County town to grant workers the right to sick time, and just the 13th town in the state.

“Paid sick time can improve both public and individual health,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty, “by encouraging workers to seek preventive care as well as reducing exposure to contagious illness in the workplace. I am confident that this ordinance is the right choice for the Morristown community.”

Under the ordinance, workers will earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours they work. In most cases, workers in companies with 10 or more people can earn up to five sick days a year, and workers in companies with fewer than 10 could earn up to three.

Employees that work directly with the public, like food service and daycare workers, can earn up to five regardless of how big the company is.

"As a business owner, it never occurred to me not to offer earned sick days," said Marilyn Wells, owner of Wells Rug Service and Steering Committee Member of the New Jersey Main Street Alliance. "I don't want my employees going to work sick. They could injure themselves, infect their co-workers or even our customers. And I don't want them to have to choose between getting a paycheck and caring for sick relative or loved one

The ordinance was not without its detractors. Many business owners spoke out passionately at the Dec. 21 town council meeting, saying employees could abuse the system or that being forced to pay for time off could hurt companies.

Jersey City was the first New Jersey town to pass a sick time ordinance in 2013. Since then, 11 others have followed suit.

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