OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - There are four full-time employees who work at Urban Abbey coffee shop in Omaha’s Old Market.

Rev. Debra McKnight owns the place and provides paid sick leave to her full-time workers. She say’s it’s the right thing to do and believes providing paid sick leave will help attract people to Nebraska — and keep them here.

“I think that this, and a myriad of other laws and policy changes, are part of making our state a more attractive place to come, to raise your family, to be a part of, to be well and whole and cared for,” McKnight said.

Rev. McKnight was one member in a group of small business owners who held a rally at Vis Major brewery off Center Street in Omaha on Wednesday. The group says they represent more than 200 business owners who support Initiative 436.

“Offering sick pay helps prevent workers from being forced to choose between their health and their livelihood,” said Lindsey Clements, the co-owner of Vis Major.

Kristin Grove has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She told 6 News that in the early days, she as paid $2.13 per hour and had no paid sick leave.

“I either went to work sick or I just stayed home and didn’t go to the doctor,” Grove said. “A lot of us would just come in sick, unfortunately, and looking at that after COVID seems, it seems ridiculous, right?”

Kristin says the owners of Sunnyside on Center — a popular breakfast spot for locals — take better care of their employees, even offering health insurance.

“That is awesome and extremely unheard of in the service industry,” SAID **** “I feel like I’m getting spoiled.”

But Kristin can also see the other side of small businesses being required to offer paid sick leave — and the challenges it may present the owners.

“My mom owns her own massage studio and if she would have to pay for the sick leave, she’d be out of business,” Grove said. “So It’s kind of hit and miss.”

But there are many business owners in Omaha who rallied Wednesday and they believe there is value in making the investment in their workforce.

“Sometimes, regulations help us see how we can do better and how we can improve our working environment,” SAID *** “It forces us to rethink and make changes.”

If passed, Initiative 436 calls for up to seven paid sick days for businesses that have at least 20 employees, and five days for businesses with fewer than 20 workers.