2.2 Million Pennsylvanians Lack Access to Earned Sick Time

Almost half of the Pennsylvanians that lack any earned sick time fall into three categories: 

Accommodations and Food Service Workers: In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 325,280 workers in this industry without earned sick time. Of the 18 million norovirus (aka stomach flu) infections nationally, ½ come from ill food service workers.

Health Care and Social Assistance Workers: In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 249,657 workers in this industry without earned sick time. This number includes people who work with our most vulnerable populations in nursing facilities, child and youth services, and child day care centers, among other occupations.

Retail Trade Workers: In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 356,576 workers in this   industry without earned sick time. This number includes people who work in grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and clothing stores, among other occupations.

People employed in these three industries generally have constant contact with the public including vulnerable populations and serving people food and drinks. Having earned sick time is not just about fairness in the workplaces and giving people flexibility to care for themselves and their family, it also is a public health issue. When workers have earned sick time, they are able to make decisions to care for their own health and their family’s health in a way that positively affects our public health.