Lack of Paid Sick Leave Is Family and Public Health Concern

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/01/08/lack-of-paid-sick-leave-is-family-and-public-health-concern/

by Mike Hall, Jan 8, 2011

More than 44 million private-sector workers in the United States—­42 percent of the private-sector workforce­—don’t have paid sick days they can use to recover from a common illness like the flu, according to new research by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR).

The new analysis reveals that more workers lack paid sick days than government reports show because it includes 4.2 million workers who have not been on the job long enough to be eligible for paid sick days.



Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF), calls the new data a “jarring reminder that workplace policies in this country are grossly inadequate.”

It should be a compelling call to action for lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels, with unemployment high, jobs scarce and more working families relying on one income instead of two, too many workers forced to sacrifice their health or their financial security when illness strikes or a family emergency occurs.

Occupational breakdowns in the new research reinforce the connection between the failure to allow workers to earn paid sick days and public health problems. According to IWPR, the occupations most likely to have regular contact with the public—­food service and preparation, and personal care and service—­are among those least likely to provide paid sick days.

FULL story at link.