Paquette Slams RESA Sick Leave Policy

paquettetestimony-3
paquettetestimony-3

State Representative Brad Paquette is expressing opposition to a new policy at Berrien RESA granting ten additional paid sick days to employees who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Paquette says the policy allows staff to use the extra sick days if they are vaccinated and have been exposed to the virus. Unvaccinated employees are not given the same. An email from RESA says to use the extra sick days, an employee must provide verification of vaccination status. Paquette says the policy is “discriminatory and unacceptable.” He goes on to say the “policy clearly discriminates against those who have decided that vaccination is not the right personal health choice. All employees should receive the same number of sick days regardless of vaccination status, no questions asked.” He also calls the RESA policy a violation of privacy. Paquette is now working on legislation that would ban such sick leave policies in Michigan. He says it will be introduced soon.