Paid sick leave access expands with widespread state action: Low-wage workers without access face economic and health insecurity
www.epi.org
Over the past decade, 15 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws requiring employers to allow workers to earn paid sick time. As a result, the share of workers who have access to paid sick leave nationwide has increased over this time. However, lack of paid sick days is still a real problem for many workers—especially low-wage workers.

Across the United States, the share of lowest-wage workers with access to paid sick time nearly doubled between 2010 and 2023, from 20% to 39%. While this marks progress, it still means 61% of the lowest-wage workers do not have access to paid sick time.

“Presenteeism,” or working while sick, not only results in decreased productivity and increased risk of injury, but also poses a public health risk, scholars say.

    • TheMongoose
      3•5 months ago

      And none of this ‘working from home’ rubbish. If you’re not infecting all your coworkers, are you even trying?