Eric Sorkin, Runamok Maple - Vermont

At Runamok Maple, we have relied on emergency paid leave credits to provide replacement wages to employees who have needed to quarantine, or otherwise take extended absences because of the public health emergency.  We also be used it to support our employees who lost their childcare or have children at home learning remotely.  

Our employees’ health and safety come first. As each of our employees navigates their own individual challenges in response to the pandemic, we have striven to make every accommodation possible and to keep our entire team together. Yet, like all small businesses, we do not have unlimited financial resources, and this puts additional stress on our company.  Emergency paid leave served to supplement our own funds and gives us even more flexibility so that we can support our employees to make decisions that put their health and safety first.  This has been critical and is essential to public health.

It is imperative that we meet this moment and create meaningful supports for our workers and their families so that they are able to make choices that put the health and safety of their families and co-workers first without putting their financial security at risk.