Del. Guzman, D-Woodbridge, stands with Biden supporters raising support for workers rights for essential workers. (Photo courtesy Elizabeth Guzman)
The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill on Thursday which would provide paid leave to essential workers.
House Bill 2137, introduced by Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Woodbridge, would require essential businesses to offer paid leave to their workers, according to the bill. Employees must be offered a minimum of one paid hour off for every 30 hours they’ve worked, although the bill does not prevent employers from offering additional paid time off. A qualifying employee must work at least 20 hours a week.
Businesses can apply for a hardship waiver, which would allow companies to opt-out of offering paid sick leave to employees if they can prove doing so would jeopardize business. The bill was amended to include an exemption for retail businesses with less than 25 employees, according to legislative records.
