Nearly 40 million Americans—almost 40 percent of the private-sector workforce—lack the right to
even a single day of paid sick leave.
These employees commonly go to work sick, or leave sick children home
alone, out of fear of dismissal. Even when they are not terminated, the
loss of pay takes a dramatic toll—particularly since jobs without sick
pay are concentrated among low-wage workers. A typical family of four
with two working parents who has no paid sick leave will have wiped out
its entire health care budget for the year after
just three days of missed work.
As shown in the figure, ten states have adopted laws that ban any
city or county within the state from establishing a right to sick leave.
In Wisconsin,
legislators repealed the city of Milwaukee’s mandatory paid sick leave law, which had been established by a referendum supported by
69 percent of voters in 2008.
In each of the ten states, the bills’ sponsors included members of the
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). And in each case, the
bills were adopted following vigorous advocacy by corporate lobbies such
as the Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent
Business, and Restaurant Association.
These bans fly in the face of public opinion.
75 percent of Americans—including
59 percent of Republicans—think there should be a law guaranteeing all
workers a minimum number of paid sick days. Yet, the nation’s most
powerful corporate lobbies remain adamantly opposed, and have been
pushing bans on paid sick leave legislation in one state after another.
Read EPI’s new report
The Legislative Attack on American Wages and Labor Standards, 2011–2012 to
learn more about the unprecedented series of corporate-backed
legislative initiatives aimed at lowering labor standards, weakening
unions, and eroding workplace protections.
— With research assistance from Alyssa Davis
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