Workers’ Sick Struggle: Getting Well vs. Getting Paid

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/4844/the_campaign_for_paid_sick_leave_getting_well_vs._getting_paid/

Thursday September 3 9:50 am

When families are hit with both health problems and financial hardship, they often can't afford to deal with either.

But if a parent can't go to work because she's sick, and can't make rent without work, having a paid day off could help her avoid an impossible choice between getting well and getting paid.


(Photo courtesy Institute for Southern Studies)

In New York City, the recession, the healthcare crisis, and now, the threat of an approaching flu epidemic, are forming a perfect storm that could lead to a government mandate for paid sick leave.

Civil rights and economic justice groups are backing a City Council bill to let workers earn, based on the hours they put in, up to nine paid sick days annually, or five days for smaller employers.

According to a survey by the Community Service Society, “about 1.5 million workers in New York City are not entitled to any paid sick leave,” including a majority of low-income workers. Nationwide, the vast majority of low-wage worker households have no paid sick days.

That means people are going to work while sick. According to a survey conducted last year by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago (full disclosure: the survey was commissioned by the Public Welfare Foundation, which financially supports Working In These Times), 68 percent of respondents lacking paid sick days said "yes" when asked, “Have you ever had to go to work when you were sick with a contagious illness like the flu or a viral infection?”

FULL story at link.

[Crazy Dave]

1. We have paid sick days

But you have to bring back proof you went to see a doctor or you won't get paid and it will go on your record as an unexcused absence so no staying home just to get rest and not get anybody else sick.

Three unexcused absences in a year gets you fired. A new policy they came up with the beginning of this year because they can.