Editor:

I am a Vermont small business owner. I have five full-time employees who I value very much. Sometimes they get sick. I can’t afford to provide health care benefits for them, but I can certainly encour-age them to take care of themselves by staying home from work on the days they feel under the weather.

The best way I can do that is to continue to pay them on their sick days. It isn’t a big deal, really, but it is important. My employees heal faster when they can sleep and take care of themselves. They don’t spread their sickness to the rest of the office. They’re more productive and less error-prone when they get back. And mostly, they just really value a job where they are treated with respect.

I understand that the our legislature is considering a bill to require paid sick time at workplaces in Vermont. Seems like a no-brainer to me. It is good for the health of Vermonters, and good for Vermont businesses.

Steve Hingtgen
Montpelier