About 140,000 New Jersey residents are entitled to or are about to be entitled to paid sick leave under a wave of legislation that has swept through the state this year.
At this point last year the state had no laws on the books giving employees the right to take time off when they or their families are sick. Now there are laws in eight municipalities, including Newark and Jersey City.
Statewide legislation is expected to continue making its way through the statehouse.
Advocates say everyone should be entitled to take time off for medical care. But more than 1 million workers don't have paid sick leave.
Business leaders warn paid sick leave will stunt job growth and drive businesses out of the state. Republican Gov. Chris Christie says it makes the state less competitive.
