Stories from Oregon
“Managers are so worried of lost production due to sickness, but I have found that if you take a day or two off due to the feeling of something coming on, your immune system stays strong and you don't even get to full scale sickness resulting in a safer, sick free work environment. When you don't feel well at work, you don't really do anything or come close to working at full potential.”
— Ruth, Springfield, Oregon
“I was lucky enough to have a job that did offer paid sick days (you accrued them). However, I really felt the 'culture' surrounding using sick days was ridiculous! Often, my coworkers would come in on nearly on their death bed to work, and thus, share their sickness with the rest of us. I used my sick days whenever I felt the need, I was grateful that my place of employment provided this benefit. I cannot imagine how other people cope with working outside the home while ill, and then going home to tend to families while ill. It's time for a change!”
— Analese, Portland, Oregon
“I currently reside in Bend, Oregon where I’m raising my family and work an 8-5 job. My 2 year old daughter has been sick off and on with the flu and common colds to the point where we are thinking she may have a serious allergy problem and are seeking help from a medical specialist. However when my daughter’s daycare called me today to come and pick her up because her fever had spiked again, my supervisor approached me and told me "You sure are taking a lot of time off." Now I don't know if me caring for my sick child falls under the fmla or what steps I can take to protect myself, but I felt like I was being threatened in a way, and this is not the first comment that has been made to me regarding my child being sick. (Some comments have been more abrasive.) I do not have paid time off and I don't have family that can fill in for me when my daughter becomes ill. I don't know what to do, I feel threatened and afraid of loosing my job. I'm just plain scared and I don't know where to turn for help. On the other hand my children's health is the most important…Honestly I don't feel what my manager is doing to me should be legal. I feel like I’m being bullied so to speak. Something needs to be done about this.”
— Rebekah, Bend, Oregon
“I am just now back to work after a week off with a pretty severe flu. I find myself struggling to feel energized enough to catch up with all the work I've missed. I still haven't had the energy to shop or do other errands I usually incorporate into some corner of my work days. I am fortunate to have health coverage and can barely imaging how depressed I'd feel if this time off also had thrown me into financial crisis. Everyone who works should have paid sick time.”
— Linda, Eugene, Oregon
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