44 Million U.S. Workers Lacked Paid Sick Days in 2010

Via the Institute for Women’s Policy Research:

WASHINGTON — New research from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) finds that, after correcting for job tenure requirements imposed by employers, only 58 percent of private sector employees in the U.S. had access to paid sick days in 2010. Overall, 44 million private sector employees in the U.S. lacked paid sick days.

“With unemployment so high and job searches taking so long, greater access to earned paid sick days will help ensure that workers won’t lose their jobs if they get sick or a child needs care.” Continue reading “44 Million U.S. Workers Lacked Paid Sick Days in 2010”

Businesses and paid sick days

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has launched a new website, “Businesses and Paid Sick Days,” which is a one-stop-shop for information on businesses and paid sick days.

You’ll find stories of employers, relevant resources, and news – and a list of over 100 supportive businesses nationwide! And it’s a great resource for business owners, workers, and others interested in learning why paid sick days are good for business. On the website you can find:

  • Quotes and stories from business owners who believe paid sick days offer more than a competitive advantage — it’s simply the right thing to do.
  • A list of news stories about business and paid sick days, like an article recognizing an unspoken “culture of illness” that puts personal productivity and the productivity of a company on the line.
  • Resources that make the case for businesses to support paid sick days, like sample time-off policies from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Browse the website, it’s a great place to find information and resources about paid sick days!

Paid family leave is working well in New Jersey

From Press of Atlantic City:

Taxes are going down in New Jersey.

At least one of them.

In 2011, the amount workers must contribute to the state’s Family Leave Insurance program will be cut from 0.12 percent of taxable wages to 0.06 percent. That means the current maximum contribution of $35.64 a year will drop to $17.76.

OK, so it’s only a $17 tax cut. But every little bit helps. And as state Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirth noted, that $17 per worker comes to $57 million that will now go back into the economy rather than to Trenton.

And $57 million is nothing to scoff it.

The cut is important for another reason, too: It means the paid family-leave program is not turning into the out-of-control boondoggle that opponents feared. Continue reading “Paid family leave is working well in New Jersey”