Getting Serious About Paid Sick Days
by Christine Stuart | April 29, 2008 9:42 AM
Posted to Labor
The Working Families Party, Acorn, and the National Partnership for Women and Families wants Connecticut legislators to know they are serious about getting a paid sick days bill passed.
Pulling out all the stops before the legislative session ends May 7th the group unveiled a report that finds approximately 44 percent of Connecticut employees have no paid sick days. The report also found that if workers were given an opportunity to earn up to 7 paid sick days they would only use about 2.9 days per year.
In addition to the report they are also putting out a robocall with some star power. The group got John Edwards to record the call urging voters to call their legislators and support the legislation.
“The costs to businesses of providing paid sick days are outweighed by the benefits of reduced spread of disease in the workplace, and reduced turnover,” Steffany Stern, policy Analyst with the National Partnership for Women and Families, said in a press release.
“Working when you’re sick can really have a negative impact productivity,” Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington said. “Forcing workers to go to work sick has substantial productivity costs.”
Last year the state Senate was successful in passing the measure, but it died on the House calendar.
Comments (1)
Posted by: steve ellingwood | May 2, 2008 9:08 PM
This is a good idea for people that work for companies that give no pay on days off. Most companies offer sick days up to a limit and then they are covered by insurance based on service time. As long as this doesn't turn into a gravy train such as happens where the state unions get paid for unused sick time or it becomes a hidden way to add to vacation, it'd be a good idea.