The following video features local elected officials, workers, union leaders and community allies discussing the benefits of a statewide earned sick days law. The benefits of such a law are both vast and compelling as we learn hearing from these individuals.

The following video features local elected officials, workers, union leaders and community allies discussing the benefits of a statewide earned sick days law. The benefits of such a law are both vast and compelling as we learn hearing from these individuals.

Yony Pulgarin from Dover New Jersey observes how “household budget obligations such as energy and rent do not stop” and therefore it is not an option for him to stay home sick because it would mean losing the money he needs to meet those obligations.

AFT NJ President Donna Chiera can recall many instances in which parents sent their children to school sick because taking off from work to care for a sick child would result in losing a day’s worth of wages.

James Harris from the NJ State Conference of the NAACP explained that going to work sick has a detrimental impact on worker productivity. Not only does this cost businesses money in terms of worker output, but the level of service provided is compromised, and this will cause illness to spread to other employees as well as customers.

Be sure to watch the video in full to hear more perspective on why all workers should have access to earned sick days. This is a policy that respects the realities of everyday life. Workers should not have to sacrifice vital wages just because they get sick or need to care for a sick family member. This is a policy that makes sense for all workers, not just managers or office employees who are much more likely to receive paid sick days.

We need to make sure our legislators continue to hear from us about the importance of passing such a bill. To forward a message asking your legislators to support earned sick days, please CLICK HERE.