Today’s New York Times reports one fight that may be coming up in the 110th Congress includes enhancing American workers’ access to paid sick leave. This is just the latest in a growing list of workers’ benefits once taken for granted, but now in decline. Legislation mandating employers with at least 15 employees provide a minimum of 7 days of paid sick leave was introduced in the 109th or “do nothing” Congress, but went no where.
As usual, many business groups are protesting the added cost such legislation would impose. Arguing from the bottom line appeals to those opposing any new regulation, but conveniently ignores the hidden costs to employers, employees, and society as a whole. Sick workers forced to choose between taking an unpaid sick day or going to work too frequently go to work and spread their illness, driving down productivity and driving up America’s growing healthcare costs in the process.
Data from both the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the availability of sick leave benefits to American workers has declined from 62% in 1980 to 57% in 2006. This coincides with declines in the availability of health insurance, paid vacation, and paid holidays. Enough is enough. Workers are the backbone of America’s consumer economy, and leaving them with fewer and fewer benefits is not good for our country or for business.
For more information read NO TIME TO BE SICK: Why Everyone Suffers When Workers Don’t have Paid Sick Leave published by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.