Pandemic intensifies Va. sick leave debate Laura Vozzella, The Washington Post Dec. 24, 2020 FacebookTwitterEmail Del. Elizabeth R. Guzman, a Democrat representing Prince William County, is one of the lead proponents of requiring employers in Virginia to offer paid sick leave.photo for The Washington Post by Timothy C. Wright. RICHMOND, Va. - When the General Assembly reconvenes next month, lawmakers will resume their battle over whether to require employers to offer paid sick leave - a debate colored by both the coronavirus pandemic and the 2021 governor's race. About 1.2 million Virginians have no paid sick time or family leave, according to a November study by the Shift Project, which tracks data from hourly service workers. Some Democrats in the state legislature have pushed for years to make most employers provide the benefit, which is required in Washington D.C. and 14 states, including Maryland.