Giving our workers living wages and sick leave boosted our KC business | Opinion

The implementation of Proposition A’s paid sick leave on May 1 marked an important step forward for Missouri businesses and workers. Businesses should see paid sick leave not as a burden, but as an investment in the well-being of our workforce and the vitality of our businesses and economy. That has been my experience as owner of Oddly Correct Coffee in Kansas City.

We employ 20 people. We know from experience that a business model with fair pay and paid sick leave is better than the low-pay, high-turnover model typical for many restaurants and other businesses.

In 2019, we decided to invest more in our employees with guaranteed living wages and paid sick leave, and we saw the very positive impact on our bottom line. Employees became more invested in their work, and it created an environment for higher quality of service and a better experience for customers. We saw a 20% increase in retail revenue.

We experienced increased productivity and decreased employee turnover, which led to reduced hiring and training costs. We saw an improvement in morale for both employees and management. And our customers were happier.

During the pandemic, when others had difficulty staffing, we had new applications every day because people wanted to work somewhere that could support them. This continues today.

People want to work with us because they know we’ll do right by them. We have a more stable crew and a better business.

And customers don’t just appreciate our great coffee. We have new customers coming to us because they want to support a business that cares about their employees and community.

Missouri voters knew what they were doing when they passed Proposition A in November, establishing earned paid sick leave and raising the state minimum wage.

Beginning May 1, employees will be able to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked — up to five or seven days of paid sick leave a year, depending on the size of the business. Employers with fewer than 15 employees can limit this to 40 hours per year, while those with 15 or more employees can limit it to 56 hours.

Paid sick leave ensures that workers can take time to recover from illness without risking their ability to pay rent or face other financial hardship. This benefit goes beyond individual well-being. It translates into a healthier and more productive workforce.

Paid sick leave benefits businesses in multiple ways. Employees don’t feel pressure to work sick, when they are less productive, more likely to make errors and can spread illnesses to co-workers and customers.

Paid sick leave increases job satisfaction and reduces employee turnover, leading to lower hiring and training costs and more stable workforces. Employees who feel valued provide better customer service.

With paid sick time, workers can take better care of themselves and their families. People are healthier; workplaces are more productive and communities are healthier.

Together with minimum wage increases, paid sick leave increases workers’ financial security, which boosts consumer spending and strengthens local businesses.

The experience of many businesses already implementing similar policies has shown that paid sick leave and fair pay are not just ethical choices but smart business decisions. Reduced employee turnover, increased productivity and greater customer satisfaction result in a healthier bottom line.

And while the impetus for the changes we’ve made was for us to do what we felt was right, if you take Oddly Correct as a case study, you can clearly see the benefits to businesses that help provide financial stability for workers.

That’s why more than 500 businesses across the state endorsed Proposition A. And that’s why I joined four other businesses in February when we submitted an amicus brief defending Prop A before the Missouri Supreme Court. It’s the right thing for workers, and it’s good for businesses’ bottom line.