Dive Brief:
- On Monday, President Barack Obama signed an executive order requiring federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days of paid sick leave annually.
- According to a prepared release from The White House, the order will affect approximately 300,000 individuals.
- Beginning in 2017, workers will earn at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
Dive Insight:
The signing builds upon the president's actions to expand access to paid leave. In January, Obama issued a memorandum directing federal government to advance up to six weeks of paid sick leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child.
The executive order signed this week will allow federal contractors to use paid sick leave to care for themselves, a family member or other loved ones as well as for absences resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
The White House statement also states the signing will help improve the health and performance of employees of federal contractors as well as protect the public health of those employees.