A study released Tuesday predicts the loss of about 370,000 California jobs within five years if a paid sick leave bill become law.
The National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation said Assembly Bill 2716 "imposes a direct cost, just like a tax, on California employers and will disproportionately affect small businesses."
The Senate Labor Committee is expected to vote on AB 2716 Wednesday. The bill mandates that all employers provide paid sick leave.
The study claims:
* California employers will be taxed with a $4.6 billion mandate.
* The new regulations will cost California companies an estimated $59.3 billion in sales in the first five years of enactment.
* More than half of that, 36.2 percent of total sales loss, will be losses to small businesses (under 100 employees).
* Major job losses will occur in retail trade, construction and professional services.
NFIB is a small business association with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals.
Related info: Ohio issue 4.
