Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D–CT) has been crusading for a national paid sick leave policy since 2004. “Coming to work sick costs our national economy more than it would cost to provide paid sick days,” says the lawmaker, who gives staffers 13 paid sick days annually. “According to one study, $180 billion is lost annually. That means that employers now pay an average of $255 per employee per year in lost productivity, more than the cost of absenteeism and medical and disability benefits.” Even if your company provides paid sick days, nearly 60 million Americans lack them. This means your children are likely attending school or child care with contagious kids whose parents can’t afford to stay home. More graphically, Dr. Heymann is fond of noting that 90 percent of rotaviruses, which cause diarrhea, are spread by workers who lack paid sick days.

What to Watch
Health Families Act (H.r. 2460/S. 1152) This would require businesses with 15 employees or more to allow workers to earn an hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, accruing up to seven days a year. The time can be used not just for personal recovery but also to care for a sick family member, to obtain medical treatment or, for victims of domestic violence, to seek legal or medical help.

Bottom Line
The issue stalled during the Bush administration but has new momentum thanks to the Obama administration’s support and concerns about slowing the spread of the H1N1 virus.