U.S. Sick Leave Policy Makes Nation More Vulnerable To Swine Flu

The United States lags behind developed nations in mandating paid sick leave for workers, a deficiency that makes the nation more vulnerable to contagious illnesses like swine flu, according to a study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research released Monday.

"We looked at 22 affluent countries -- the 22 that are the top 22 ranked in terms of the human development index -- except for the United States, every single other one has some form of paid sick days or paid sick leave and the majority have both," said the report's lead author, Jody Heymann of McGill University's Institute for Health and Social Policy, in an interview with the Huffington Post.

To bring the U.S. up to speed, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) announced a bill that would allow workers to earn up to seven days of paid sick leave to recover from illness or care for a sick family member.

"Every worker should have paid sick days -- it is a matter of right and wrong. Being a working parent should not mean choosing between your job, taking care of yourself, and taking care of your family," said DeLauro in a statement. Noting that in the wake of the continuing swine flu outbreak many public officials have encouraged folks with symptoms to stay home, DeLauro added: "for many Americans, following this sound advice is impossible. Almost half of all private sector workers, 57 million, do not have a single paid sick day. These workers put their jobs on the line every time they take a day off."

DeLauro said in her statement that "presenteeism" -- when sick workers show up for work instead of staying home -- costs the national economy $180 billion annually in lost productivity, or $225 per employee per year.

The CEPR's report, titled "Contagion Nation: A Comparison of Paid Sick Day Policies in 22 Countries," found that the U.S. was the only one that did not have national or at least provincial policies providing paid sick leave for workers for short stretches of five days or long stretches of 50 days.

Heymann said DeLauro's bill will remedy the nation's ailing sick leave policy. The current setup, she said, is a hazard for everybody.

"You have to worry not only whether you have paid leave but whether the restaurant worker has paid leave," said Heymann, "or whether they went to work with gastroenteritis because they don't have paid leave."

HuffPost readers: Has illness ever put you in a difficult situation at work? Has a family member's illness ever put you in a bind? Share your stories -- email us at [e-mail].

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Comments

[vgirl1]

America remains one of the most unenlighted developed countries in the world when it comes to the health and well being of its citizens. We have one of the hightest infant mortality rates in the developed world. We lack universal healthcare and we rate among the lowest satisfied nations when it comes to health care satisfaction. We pay some of the highest worldwide prices for perscriptions. I could go on and on.

Until American citizens, including our politicians get over the idea America is best in all things, particularly health care, we will continue to fall behind economically and be threatened by the vulnerabilities that poor health care and health related policies drive.

[Tom Joad]

slave nation.

[hopeforchangenow]

This will never go through. Big business and their affiliates will jump all over it like all other items that favor labor and demolish it. It will always be that way because Americans always roll over and play dead while the banks, financial institutions, mortgage companies, student loan lenders, big retailers, big companies own a piece of every Representative and Senator in this country.

[Gidster]

They spend billions in ad campaigns and smear campaigns that paint those that want better workers rights and benefits as detrimental to America, and will cost YOU thousands......

We are indeed a nation of wage slaves.

[delagirl]

You are right. I tend to think lobbying should be illegal!

[Skorpyos]

I get 0 sick days at work here in Texas, so I always save one week of my vacation days in case I need it to recover from an illness. If I don't use it, then I transfer it to the next year.

[montecarlo408]

What does that have to do with the topic? American workers work more hours than any other modern country, have fewer sick days, and die the youngest.

P.S. How come I KNEW you were from Texas?

[runnerin1]

You'd better leave him alone, or he'll succeed.

[vgirl1]

In many companies, vacation days cannot be carried over year to year because of the economic burden such carryover poses for the company So there goes that option for all too many workers.

So what is your next bright idea to excuse / support policies of no paid sick days or no paid sick leave?

[Gidster]

That is a good idea, but not every job has that flexibility.

[mairs]

So you effectively only get one week off a year. I used to work for a company that only allowed two weeks off a year after you had worked there for five years. You had to prove that you were worthy of two weeks off. And it goes without saying that there were no sick days.

[bsc]

that stinks that you have to save your vacation days. my company will not let you transfer vacation days year to year its use em or lose em.

[Grunty1]

Duh. At my company, we have a good amount of vacation time, but ZERO sick days. To stay home sick, we need to use a vacation day. Sure, we COULD work from home remotely, but that is not encouraged.

So what happens? If anyone in the office gets sick, EVERYONE gets sick.

[rinpochet]

And that is why this country needs to catch up with other developed countries and do something about it. Sick people go to work because they can't afford to lose pay, and then infect everyone else.

When money is taken out of politics and our reps begin to work for the people instead of corporate America, things will change. Until then, the people don't stand a chance and will continue to suffer.

I am from Australia and I know what it means to be valued by my government. Before the questions begin, "well why did you come here:?" .. I marred an American and that is the only reason I am here. Actually love this country but it is the worst country in the industrialized world as far as the well-being of its workers go. Going back on a family visit soon. If I had my druthers it would be a one-way trip.

[SamKnause]

Money will never be taken out of politics in this country. We have the best elected government officials money can buy, and there in lies the problem. The majority of our countries problems could be solved if our elected officials would not sell their souls to lobbyist.