More states are passing or considering family medical leave laws that would require employers to offer paid leave for workers to undergo treatment or care for a sick family member. Separately, more states and cities also are requiring paid sick days, which give people time off to deal with short-term illnesses like the flu. Advocates say these laws can help improve patient health, reduce financial stress and make workers more productive. But unfunded mandates like paid sick time also can stress employers, and the patchwork nature of the different state laws has become a growing source of frustration.
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