John,

Nearly two-thirds of low wage workers in the U.S. (61%) have no paid sick leave. High wage workers are 2.5 times more likely to have it. Paid sick leave is good for everyone -- employees, coworkers, customers, and companies. So why are nearly 33 million American workers still without it?

Very few developed countries fail to provide workers with paid sick leave, but in the U.S., paid sick leave is mandated in only 17 states. Without paid sick leave, workers are left with only bad choices: do they go to work while sick, or do they have to choose between paying for food, rent, or medical expenses?

During the pandemic, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, we saw that it’s possible to offer tax incentives to employers who provide their workers with paid sick leave. Now, however, these benefits have expired, and millions of American workers are back on their own, just hoping that they don’t get sick -- or if they do, that they don’t lose their jobs.

Tell Congress all workers need paid sick leave, regardless of what state they live in or how much money they make.

Between local laws and voluntary good faith efforts, some employers provide sick leave for some workers, but the holes in this crazy quilt are costing us our health, safety, productivity, and livelihoods.

Paid sick leave draws workers to jobs, improves job satisfaction, and reduces the costs of turnover, hiring, and training. It reduces stress, accidents, and illness, and increases productivity.

Workers who know they should show up for work only when they feel healthy, are less worried about being exposed to colleagues who are sick, improving their attention, morale, and productivity.

These workers are more likely to see a doctor when they need to, to get needed treatment, and to return to work sooner. Fewer emergency room visits help keep insurance premiums down, which is good for everyone.  

Currently, only the privileged few enjoy the benefits of paid sick leave. If businesses won't provide paid sick leave on their own, we need to require them to provide it by law.

Sign the petition and demand legislation to make paid sick leave a benefit for all workers, regardless of where they live or work.

Thank you for helping to improve the health of all Americans!

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund