While paid sick days might be considered a more progressive concept, voters in three red states are on board. Paid sick leave was on the ballots in Missouri, Nebraska and Alaska on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The measure passed in Missouri with 58% voting in favor. It requires companies to give employees one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, totaling up to five days per year for small businesses with fewer than 15 employees and up to seven days a year for larger companies.
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The measure will also raise Missouri’s minimum wage from $13 per hour to $15 per hour over the next two years.
In Nebraska, 74% of voters said they were in favor of requiring companies to offer paid sick leave. Small businesses must now provide 40 hours per year — or up to five days — paid sick leave, and large businesses must give employees up to 56 hours — or seven days’ worth.
Nebraska considers small companies to be those having fewer than 20 employees.
So far in Alaska, 56% of voters want paid sick leave. As of Wednesday, Nov. 6, only 76% of Alaska’s precincts had reported, so that could change, but the measure is still likely to pass.
It’s similar to Missouri’s measure, requiring one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. It’ll require smaller employers to provide up to five days paid sick leave, and larger ones seven.
The measure also raises the state’s minimum wage to $15 dollars per hour by 2027. Currently, Alaska’s minimum wage is $11.73 an hour.
