Obama Administration Endorses Paid Sick Days
With the H1N1 virus becoming widespread throughout most of the United States, securing paid sick days for all workers has become more critical than ever before. Consequently, the Obama Administration has responded to this growing need for working families and has endorsed the Healthy Families Act. On November 10th, Seth Harris, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Labor, announced the Administration’s support during a hearing on H1N1 and paid sick days at the Senate HELP Committee’s Subcommittee on Children and Families. He explains during his testimony that legislation like the Healthy Families Act would “advance workplace flexibility and protect the income and security of workers.”
Read Labor Secretary Hilda Solis’ blog post about the Administration’s support »
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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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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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11.10.09 ~ Sen. Dodd Holds a Hearing on the Healthy Families Act
By Kesia Brown, National Partnership
On Nov. 10, the Senate HELP Committee’s Subcommittee on Children and Families, chaired by Sen. Chris Dodd, hosted a hearing on H1N1 and paid sick days entitled “The Cost of Being Sick.” In the course of the panelists’ testimonies, the hearing brought attention to the growing need for working families to have access to paid sick days with the emerging threat of an H1N1 pandemic.
Debra Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families, stressed the growing urgency of passing paid sick days legislation as she explained how public health is at risk when employers refuse to “provide a minimum standard of paid sick days.” Only a small number of food and public accommodation workers and childcare providers have paid sick days. Since H1N1 is currently “widespread” in 48 states and more than 100 children have already died of complications from H1N1, it is more important than ever to provide paid sick days and make it possible for working families to recover from their illness and stop the spread of H1N1.
The panelists also included government officials such as Rep. Rosa Delauro, who has been a leading champion in Congress for issues concerning working families, and Seth Harris, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Labor, who announced the Obama Administrations support for the Healthy Families Act. Mr. Harris commented in his testimony that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that everyone with an influenza-like illness should stay home in order to prevent further spread of the disease. The duration of time that most will have to stay home will be 3 to 5 days from the time that symptoms occur to when the fever subsides. He emphasized that providing sick days to employees will only have minimal costs to employers and that this should encourage employers to improve their work supports for their workers — especially for low wage workers and single parents who are especially vulnerable to making the hard choice “between keeping their jobs and taking care of their health and the health of their children.” Further, Mr. Harris expressed the Administration’s support of health care reform as another initiative that will help both working families and businesses through public health emergencies like H1N1.
Testimony was also heard from a working mother who has first hand experience with the devastating costs of being ill without paid sick days. Desiree Rosado, a working mother and wife from Groton, Connecticut, was recently impacted by H1N1 when all three of her children fell severely ill with H1N1 and she had no choice but to stay home and take care of her children even though her employer did not offer paid sick days. Although her husband works as a security guard, the absence of her paycheck has put a tremendous strain on their economic security and they are now living on the edge — from paycheck to paycheck. Through her moving testimony, she expressed her support of the Healthy Families Act and eloquently personalized paid sick days as an issue that must be addressed immediately by Congress.
Read other posts »
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Around the country, more and more newspapers are editorializing in favor of the paid sick days legislation that the nation urgently needs. These editorials point out the sound reasoning behind a minimum standard of paid sick days, and in many cases endorse local, state or national legislation. These endorsements are a great step forward, and help advocates call attention to the need for progress in their states and cities.
Check out some recent endorsements:
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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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North Carolina Justice Center and the NC Paid Sick Days Campaign
Our partners in Raleigh at the North Carolina Justice Center are at the helm of the state’s paid sick days coalition, working to make progress for the 1.6 million North Carolinians who have no access to paid sick days.
The NC Justice Center has formed a broad coalition of organizations to advocate for the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act, which would allow workers in North Carolina to earn up to seven paid sick days per year. The paid sick days could be used for an employee’s own illness, to care for a sick family member, or to recover from incidents of domestic violence and stalking.
In 2009, the coalition reached out to the public to involve them in the campaign, holding town hall meetings around the state in High Point, Durham, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, Asheville, and Charlotte. This year the coalition also celebrated committee hearings held by both the North Carolina House and Senate.
A recent poll by AARP North Carolina found that 79% of North Carolinians believe employers should be required to provide a minimum number of paid sick days for full-time workers.
The North Carolina Justice Center’s mission is to reduce and eliminate poverty in North Carolina by advocating for the resources, services, and fair treatment that every household needs to maintain economic security. The Justice Center pursues its mission through litigation, research and analysis, public policy advocacy, and grassroots action. Justice Center advocates have been working since 2007 to pass a paid sick days standard, part of their agenda to support and protect workers.
For more information, visit http://www.ncsickdays.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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