DENVER -- A group that wants the city to require Denver businesses to give paid sick time to its employees picketed outside a downtown Denver Starbucks Tuesday.

Dozens of protesters from The Campaign for a Healthy Denver held signs with slogans like "No Coughing in Our Coffee" and "No viruses in our Ventis" outside Starbucks on the 16th Street Mall.

The group claims that Denver's Starbucks are not required to pay employees for sick time, forcing sick employees to show up for work because they need the money.

More than 12,000 petition signatures have already been sent to the Denver Elections Division. The proposed measure would require employers in Denver to grant nine days a year of paid sick time to full-time employees. Businesses with fewer than 10 workers would need to provide five days of sick leave.

"It's not just for the few privileged employees with employers that provide for them," said one protester. "Everyone deserves access to sick leave."

Supporters say paid sick time would increase productivity, reduce turnover and help prevent sickness.

Those against the measure say this is not the time to mess with businesses already struggling in this new economy.

"We simply can't afford to do anything that would cause businesses to have to reduce employees or barrier additional employees," said Tami Door, president and chief executive of the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Election officials have another 20 days to certify the signatures sent to the elections division. That is when a decision will be made whether or not the measure will be put on the ballot this November.