Firms believe sick pay plan will cost jobs

Plans to impose the cost of mandatory sick pay of four weeks on employers will cost jobs in most firms, according to the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, ISME.

A survey of more than 2,000 businesses found that firms overwhelmingly believe the measures will result in job losses.

The majority of firms — 96% — said they would anticipate job losses as a result of Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton’s proposal, which would put the burden of the first four weeks of sick pay on the employer.