Gearing up for the November referendum on whether businesses should be mandated to provide sick leave, Milwaukee's 9to5 organization offers its own study.

The non-partisan, Washington, D.C.-based Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) did a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed Milwaukee minimum paid sick days standard and found that the new standard will directly benefit more than 75,000 Milwaukee workers who currently lack paid sick days.

The report projects net savings to Milwaukee employers of $15 million per year, largely from reduced costs of turnover. The study estimates that Milwaukee workers will save $1 million per year in health care spending because of reduced spread of the flu at work. Nearly half (47 percent) of private sector workers have no paid sick days.

"Under the proposed standard, employers would enjoy greater productivity and healthier workplaces, while workers would benefit from having time to recover from illness or care for their sick children," said Vicky Lovell, IWPR's Acting Director of Research, who authored the report.

"It would also support public health by allowing sick workers to avoid contact with the public."

Perhaps washing hands isn't enough anymore.

"This proposal will help Milwaukeeans by reducing the spread of serious contagious diseases and protecting against job loss," said Amy Stear, Wisconsin Organizing Director for 9to5, which is leading an educational campaign on the policy initiative.

"This report shows that it's also a good policy for Milwaukee employers."

The proposal calls for workers to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours of paid work. Workers may use up to 72 hours of leave in a calendar year.

Small employers' needs are accommodated with a lower cap on leave (40 hours per year). Earned sick days could be used when workers are ill and for preventive care, care of sick family members and responding to domestic violence.

The cost-benefit report uses data collected by government agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as peer-reviewed research literature. It is part of a series of analyses conducted by IWPR about paid sick days policies. Funding for the study was provided by the Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee, the Ford Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Free McGee? Give credit to the lawyer for former Ald. Michael McGee Jr. for trying to get some help for his client. In a letter to McGee's former colleagues, Victor Jackson, from the federal public defender's office, asked for a little support.

"I petition your sentiments of reflection and insight of our client, and your former colleague, Michael McGee, Jr. In the course of serving his constituents with zeal and tenacity, Mr. McGee found himself adrift of the goal. His political career has been extinguished, however, redemption is still quite possible. An unfortunate misstep, lack of sound judgment, or even criminal conviction, does not and should not necessarily define anyone's character.

"Mr. McGee is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable Judge Charles N. Clevert, Friday, October 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 222 of the Federal Courthouse (517 E. Wisconsin). If you elect to author a letter, please forward it to either myself or Mr. McGee's counsel: Attorney Calvin Malone. If you desire to respond in a manner not mentioned, please feel free to contact me.

"Thanking you in advance for your consideration."

No word yet on whether anyone has responded.