DeLauro Statement on Seattle Paid Sick Days Law Going Into Effect

Follow in Footsteps of Connecticut, San Francisco,District of Columbia

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released thefollowing statement today on Seattle's paid sick days law that goes into effecttomorrow.

"There are nearly 40 million American workers who currentlydo not have one day of paid sick leave—but thanks to Seattle that number willshrink just a little bit tomorrow. Workers there will have the ability totake care of themselves and their families if they are sick without having toworry about losing their jobs. It is in the best interests of our nation,but more importantly our families, to ensure that every American has access topaid sick days.

"Paid sick days are smart for businesses too. Theyhelp ensure that workers do not show up to work sick, known as ‘presenteeism,'which costs our economy $160 billion a year in lost productivity. And itis too often those living paycheck to paycheck who have to come into worksick. We must end the current system and ensure workers no longer have tochoose between their health—or their families—and their paycheck."

DeLauro has long been a national leader in the fight toensure that all employees have access to paid sick days. In May, sheintroduced the Rebuild America Act, which would give workers across thecountry access to paid sick days. She is also the author and chiefsponsor of the Healthy Families Act, which, like Connecticut's 2011ground-breaking law, would ensure every worker can take a paid day off whenthey or a family member is sick. DeLauro first introduced the bill in2004 and has continued to champion for it ever since. The legislationwould enable workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hoursworked, up to a maximum of seven days worth of paid leave.

At the moment, nearly four in ten U.S. workers lack even asingle paid sick day. Over 140 other nations, including 19 or the top 20most economically competitive in the world, guarantee some form of paid sickdays to workers. The U.S. is the lone exception.