Help Us Tell Philadelphia City Council to Give ALL Workers a Chance to Earn Paid Sick Days

Cross-posted on MomsRising.org.

Everyone gets sick – but not everyone has time to get better. In Philadelphia, two out of every five workers who become ill (or whose kids become ill) have a terrible “choice” to make between the job they need and the family they love-all because they don’t have the opportunity to earn paid sick days.

Office Manager Tiffany Lomax is one single mom who is thankful that she now has paid sick days to care for her 13 year old son, who suffers from severe asthma and allergies. Unfortunately, that was not always the case for Tiffany. Prior to her current job, she worked at a number of different companies. Despite her hard work, ambition, and experience, she was let go from each of those jobs after missing work to care for her son. Now, Tiffany feels fortunate to have a job where she has the flexibility to work hard while doing the right thing for her family.

This Tuesday, March 1st, the Philadelphia City Council is holding a hearing to discuss the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, which would give workers the opportunity to earn paid sick days to care for themselves, their children, or their other family members. If you live, work, or spend any time in Philadelphia, please contact members of City Council and let them know that all workers need to have a chance to earn paid sick days. You can also attend a rally in City Hall at 9:00 to show Council members how important this issue is to Philadelphians – you can then help us pack the hearing room.

Even if you have paid sick days at your job, a majority of restaurant, child care, and health care workers do not—the lack of paid sick days in Philadelphia impacts us all! Those preparing our food or caring for our children and other vulnerable populations are likely to come to work sick as they do not have another option.
Paid sick days are also good for business as having it leads to higher productivity and lower turnover. Employees that have paid sick days are also less likely to pass on any illness to co-workers and consumers.