Although it is too soon to tell whether New York will join Connecticut in mandating paid sick leave, one thing is certain — Philadelphia will not.

On June 28, 2011, Mayor Michael Nutter vetoed a proposed ordinance that would have mandated that employers with 5 or more employees offer paid sick time to employees for their own illness or for the care of a family member.

In a letter to the Council, Mayor Nutter explained that he vetoed the proposed ordinance because it would cause too great of a burden on Philadelphia businesses when neither other Pennsylvania nor national businesses would be required to offer paid sick leave.  He also noted that all of the local Chambers of Commerce were opposed to the bill.

For now, it appears that the business community’s concerns were addressed.   The question still remains whether other cities or states will follow Connecticut’s lead.