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Paid sick leave expands after many pandemic protections vanish

May 7, 2024
The U.S. is among few countries that do not guarantee paid sick leave. But more states are onboard, and it may be on the ballot in others.
The U.S. is among few nations that do not guarantee paid sick leave. But many states do.
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As the Family and Medical Leave Act turns 30, millions of Americans still lack access to paid leave

Feb 3, 2023
The U.S. is the only wealthy country in the world that doesn’t guarantee workers a single day of paid leave.
An estimated 44% of Americans are not entitled to paid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for NYC for Paid Leave

Lack of paid sick days takes a toll on rural Americans' health

Nov 23, 2022
Only two states with significant rural populations have laws that require employers to offer sick days.
Americans with long commutes to hospitals and doctors' offices are also less likely to have enough paid time off to make the trip.
Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Monkeypox cases may be down, but it still can cause economic harm to infected employees

Sep 29, 2022
Those who become sick with the disease won't find the same kind of employment help that was offered for COVID.
Though new monkeypox cases are down 50% since early August, workers are struggling to find financial assistance if they miss work due to an infection.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Is the American disability system prepared for long COVID-19?

Apr 22, 2021
A growing number of patients continue to have symptoms months after the onset of COVID-19, even after tests no longer detect it.
COVID-19 long-haulers experience symptoms from fatigue to heart problems after the virus is no longer detected in their bodies.
Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

Lack of paid sick time could be a barrier to vaccination

Apr 19, 2021
Low-wage workers are least likely to get paid time off and often have less predictable, flexible schedules.
Some experts are concerned low-wage workers will be forced to choose between using their limited paid sick leave for another need or using it for the vaccine.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Why businesses are pushing Congress to expand paid family and medical leave

Mar 24, 2021
Federal funds would help businesses who already offer paid leave — and be an incentive for those who don't.
Paid leave is good for both workers and businesses.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Paid sick leave prevents thousands of COVID cases daily, study says

Nov 5, 2020
But the U.S. is way behind most developed countries in mandating paid sick leave.
Nurse and health care workers in the Bronx, New York, rally against a policy requiring a doctor's note to receive paid sick leave in April.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus is pressuring some companies to offer paid sick leave

Mar 12, 2020
There is no federal mandate for paid sick time, though some states require it.
Walmart announced it would offer paid sick leave to employees diagnosed with COVID-19.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

America's lack of sick leave is a problem in COVID-19 outbreak

Feb 26, 2020
About a third of workers in the U.S. don't have sick days, and many that do don't use them.
A woman wears a medical mask while waiting at Los Angeles International Airport on Feb. 2.
David McNew/Getty Images