“”Every one of us wants to prevent the spread of H1N1 (swine flu), but this bill will have far-reaching effects in Maine,” said Chip Morrison of the Androscoggin Chamber. “Is this the time to put a costly mandate on Maine employers?”

Kevin Miller, a researcher from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, said more than 170,000 Maine workers would benefit from the law.

His research also shows employers would save millions of dollars by “reducing worker turnover, cutting down on the spread of disease at work and helping employers avoid paying for low productivity.”