DeLauro Statement on Report Walmart Punishes Employees for Medical Absences

WASHINGTON, DC (June 5, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding a report that Walmart, the nation's largest employer, punishes employees for taking time off related to illness or disability and may be violating worker-protection laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. According to The New York Times, Walmart "routinely refuses to accept doctors' notes, penalizes workers who need to take care of a sick family member and otherwise punishes employees for lawful absences."

"News that Walmart routinely punishes its employees for taking sick days is outrageous. As the nation's largest employer, and one of the world's wealthiest corporations, Walmart should immediately change its policies and follow federal worker-protection laws. No employee should ever be threatened with termination when taking a sick day.

"Many wealthy corporations have a long history of exploiting their workers and Walmart's case is no exception. We must take stronger steps to protect employees from these kinds of abuses and Congress should enforce and strengthen workplace policies by enacting the Healthy Families Act and the FAMILY Act. These two pieces of legislation would ensure that more American workers can receive the care they need when they need it. The time to act is now."

Earlier this year, DeLauro reintroduced the Healthy Families Act, legislation that would allow workers to earn paid sick leave to use when they are sick, to care for a loved one, to obtain preventative care, or to address the impacts of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. She also reintroduced the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act), which would ensure that workers can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a pregnancy, the birth or adoption of a child, to recover from a serious illness, or to care for a seriously ill family member.