Connecticut Campaign Full Speed Ahead
Connecticut advocates just recently kicked off their 2010 campaign—and it already looks like it’ll be a banner year for Connecticut workers. After a successful hearing last week, the labor and public employees committee voted the measure out of committee. At the campaign kickoff, backers of Connecticut’s paid sick days bill rallied at the Capitol to show their support for the legislation, which would allow employees in the State of Connecticut to earn up to five paid sick days per year. They touted the bill’s benefits for business as well as the public health.
Connecticut advocates hope to become the first to pass a statewide standard in 2010. To learn more about the campaign, check out the recent coverage on Daily Kos.
Learn more »
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In a nation that prides itself on family values, we need to do a better job of valuing our nation's families. Here are a few quick ways to get involved:
- Find Local Campaigns — The momentum is building. Get involved in your local campaign.
- Start Your Own Campaign — Campaigns are happening all over the country. Learn how to start one today!
- Contact Congress — Urge your elected officials support the federal Healthy Families Act!
- Share Your Story — If you or a loved one have been affected by not having
 paid sick days or if you’re outraged by the injustice tell us about it. - Tell Others —- Raise awareness by sending an e-mail to co-workers, friends and family.
- Print A Flyer — Distribute copies to friends, co-workers and even strangers!
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2.16.10 ~ New Analysis Suggests Lack of Paid Sick Days May Have Prolonged H1N1 Pandemic
By Vicki Shabo
New analysis from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) provides support for what paid sick days advocates have long argued: lack of access to paid sick days means employees are more likely to go to work sick, spread contagious disease, prolong the effects of pandemic illness, and harm the public health.
IWPR’s recent briefing paper, Sick at Work: Infected Employees in the Workplace During the H1N1 Pandemic, analyzes illness and employment data from the Fall of 2009, during the height of the H1N1 pandemic. IWPR estimates that although almost 26 million working adults in the U.S. — about 18% of all U.S. employees — were infected with H1N1 from September through November 2009, only about 18 million took time away from work while infected. That leaves just under 8 million workers who went to work ill, spreading the flu to up to 7 million co-workers.
But that is not the end of the story. Workers in the private sector — where 40% lack access to paid, job-protected sick leave — were much more likely to show up for work sick. While over 90% of infected public sector employees (nearly all of whom have access to paid sick time) followed the CDC’s advice to stay home, only about 66% of private sector employees did the same. The result? Private sector employees infected more of their co-workers and, as a result, the pandemic may been prolonged in private workplaces. Extrapolating from IWPR’s data, the secondary costs of the pandemic — workplace inefficiency and low employee morale — would likely have been higher in the private sector as a steady stream of workers slogged to work sick for months on end.
In this economy, many sick workers cannot make the choice between getting better and getting paid. IWPR’s analysis confirms that a national paid sick days standard makes good sense, not just for the workers who would benefit most directly, but for their colleagues, their workplaces, and their communities.
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Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just interested in learning more, the following links offer helplful information about paid sick days campaigns:
LATEST RESEARCH
LOCAL CAMPAIGNS
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 First-Ever House Hearing. A panel of experts, including National Partnership President Debra Ness, testified in support of the Healthy Families Act before a House subcommittee. >>Watch the video.
 Ellison Speaks Out. On the House floor, Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-5) talks about the need for a basic labor standard of paid sick days. >>Watch the video.
 Online Rally. Join us in front of the (virtual) Capitol. Hear why paid sick days are critical for our nation’s health and economic security and share your story today. >>Join the rally.
 Frank Fever. Find out if you work for Fever, Inc. and uncover the sinister plot of one virus’ ambition to control the world. >>Watch the video.
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New Hampshire Women’s Lobby & Alliance — and the New Hampshire Paid Sick Days Campaign
Our partners in Concord, NH at the New Hampshire Women’s Lobby & Alliance are leading the state’s paid sick days coalition, working to provide access to the 215,800 New Hampshire private-sector workers who have no paid sick days.
A statewide paid sick days standard would guarantee workers in New Hampshire up to five paid sick days per year. Workers could use the paid sick days to recover from an illness or seek medical treatment, to care for a sick family member, or to address the effects of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Several researchers have recently released reports outlining the many reasons why a paid sick days standard is sound, crucial policy for New Hampshire. A cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that New Hampshire employers would save $30 million annually as a result of paid sick days, mostly due to reductions in turnover-related costs. A health impact assessment of the proposed legislation showed that it would help reduce the transmission of communicable diseases in restaurants and nursing homes. The assessment also showed that the legislation would help decrease medical costs by reducing the number of emergency room visits, as well as the number of unnecessary hospitalizations.
A recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found that 69% of New Hampshire adults favor a basic labor standard of paid sick days.
The New Hampshire Women’s Lobby is a nonpartisan grassroots organization that advocates for policies to improve the economic and social well-being of the state’s women and their families. The Lobby’s key issues include economic autonomy, family law, women’s health, civil rights, and freedom from discrimination.
For more information, visit http://www.nhwomen.org
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THE PROBLEM:
Nearly half (48%) of private-sector workers—and nearly 80% of low-wage workers—do not have paid sick days to care for their own health. And nearly 100 million workers don’t have paid sick days to care for a sick child.
THE SOLUTION:
The Healthy Families Act is proposed federal legislation that will guarantee workers up to seven paid sick days a year to recover from an illness or care for a sick family member.
>>Support the Health Families Act. Get involved today.
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