Last week, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill into law that will make New Mexico one of 15 states requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees, regardless of the size of the business.
The union-backed legislation guarantees that employees can accrue one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked—up to 64 hours of leave per year.
“This is, point blank, a humane policy for workers,” said Lujan Grisham in a statement. “No one should ever be compelled to come to work when they are sick. And no worker should ever feel they must choose between their health and their livelihood.”
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the bill will permit employees to use the paid leave for “illnesses, injuries, family medical appointments, and absences due to domestic abuse or sexual assault.”
Bellanira Lozano, a single mother from Sante Fe who is a domestic worker, said her family has been heavily impacted by the pandemic.
“This law means families like mine won’t have to decide between getting paid or going to work sick,” said Lozano.
The law is set to go into effect July 1, 2022.
