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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Guest editorial, Con: Proposed sick leave costly for businesses, with potential for abuse

Patrick Devries

The DeVries family has proudly done business in Spokane for multiple generations.

Our earliest ancestors came west and grew apples in the Spokane Valley, and worked on cars and sold auto parts in the city. In the early 1980s, my father, brother and I bought and owned a moving company that continues to serve the region’s moving needs. My wife and I later branched out to start our own business, which has grown over the past 20 years because of great clients, dedicated employees and hard work. Along the way, I have borrowed funds, and more than once mortgaged my home to finance my business. I am a risk-taker based on my confidence in our local economy and the great clients I am honored to serve.

The City of Spokane’s idea of sick leave is a great one, but a benefit that employees should earn. I find the proposed ordinance requiring earned sick and safe leave for our employees just to be compliant with a city council action a costly burden to manage. I am very concerned about the potential for abuse that another entitlement will create. The cost to Spokane businesses is estimated at approximately $24 million per year. This is money no longer available to donate, pay employees or reinvest in our company.

Companies already compete for great employees, and willingly provide a host of benefits. Health care, annual leave, holiday pay, 401(k) plans and so on are traditional benefits not mandated by our city council. The relationship and culture at our company is a very important part of who we are and what drives us to do our best. City council mandates that interfere with this kind of relationship discourage business owners. I have grown this company over time, and we have also done as much as possible to add benefits as we could afford them. I am proud of what we have accomplished in this great city and want to stay encouraged and positive. At times, it’s not so easy.

I am concerned that leave ordinances cities are adopting will create a patchwork of inconsistency. We are surrounded by cities that do not and likely will not have such ordinances. We also have a neighbor close by – Idaho – competing with us. Idaho already has a competitive advantage over Spokane, and this would make it that much harder for Spokane to recruit companies looking to relocate. We need to use our common sense, reduce unnecessary regulations, and create good jobs.

Spokane is a giving and caring community, as we know from the annual success of United Way, and the many charitable, nonprofit organizations in the area. Our company has supported organizations such as Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Wishing Star Foundation, SCOPE and many others with our time and money.

Workers that do not have access to any kind of sick leave do need our help. I have heard the problems of victims of domestic violence: days in court, days of work missed, and no financial assistance. We can help them and others without mandated sick leave. I suggest a delay in enacting this ordinance, and working with affected groups to start a benevolent fund that could help support those who have legitimate financial needs because of sick and safe leave.

Rather than forced compliance with a discouraging ordinance, let’s come together as a community and help each other. It’s what we have always done in Spokane, and we can keep doing it without more government burdens.

Patrick DeVries is the president and chief executive officer of DeVries Business Services.