Workers without paid sick leave face serious health consequences

[LuckyTheDog]

Getting sick — whether from a cold or from cancer — is a natural part of life, and illness can become even more stressful than it already is if an employee is unable to take paid sick leave.

Some 145 countries require paid sick leave, including Australia, France, Sweden, and the U.K. In Germany, employers must provide at least six weeks of sick leave per illness. The United States is not included in that list, as federal law doesn’t require employers to provide workers and their families with paid sick leave. Only Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, and Oregon have laws that offer paid sick leave to employees.

In a new study, researchers out of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Cleveland State University examined the influence of paid sick leave over U.S. workers and their families receiving medical care. They found that families of workers without paid sick leave were three times as likely to delay medical care and 1.6 times more likely to completely forego medical care for an injury or illness than people who had paid sick leave. The group that was particularly at risk of skipping medical care were the lowest-income workers, making them more likely to suffer from untreated issues.



MORE HERE: http://yonside.com/workers-without-paid-sick-leave-face-serious-health-consequences/

[awoke_in_2003]

1. I just got over

an ear, nose, and throat infection coupled with bronchitis. I was stubborn but finally went to the doctor. He told me I was close to pneumonia and to take off from work and let the medicine and rest do the job. I don't know how people without sick days do it.