STAY home if you're sick. That's the best way to stop the spread of contagious diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis and gastrointestinal viruses. Besides, you can't do your job capably or safely if you don't feel well. But many Americans simply tough it out when ill, going to work with pain, cramps, headaches, fevers or worse. Often, they have no choice.
As many as 43% of American workers in private industry don't have paid sick days, according to 2007 data from the federal government. If they call in sick, they lose their pay and, sometimes, their jobs.
That number has risen over the years, part of a larger trend to cut back on sick leave. Among workers who do still have the once-venerable benefit, many have found their days reduced or lumped together as part of their vacation time. The United States -- unique among industrialized countries -- doesn't mandate a minimal number of paid sick days for workers.
"Sick time is changing," says Kim Stattner, an expert on absence management for Hewitt Associates, an international company that provides human resources programs and consulting. "The practices and designs are not as generous as they once were."
As employers cut back, however, lawmakers are stepping in, with the support of labor organizations and health officials. In May, legislation cleared the California Assembly that would allow workers to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. The bill, called Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces (AB 2716), has been sent to the Senate, where its prospects for passage are considered fair.
As many as 10 other states are also pondering paid-sick-day laws, including Ohio, where residents will likely vote in November on a ballot initiative requiring a minimum number of paid sick days.
Two cities, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have already enacted legislation. In San Francisco, full-time, part-time and temporary workers earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, assuming they have been on the job for at least three months. Workers at companies with fewer than 10 employees can accumulate up to five days per year, and workers for companies with 10 or more workers can accumulate up to nine days. The Washington, D.C., law requires workers to be on the job for one year before becoming eligible for paid sick leave. Workers can earn three to seven days depending on the size of their company and whether they work full or part time.
