Channeling my high school self

[chargirlgenius]

Whereas, the powers that be are encouraging sick people to stay home from work or school when they’re sick, and
Whereas the United States has the paltriest sick and maternity leaves among all industrialized nations, and
Whereas individuals will come to work sick because they will either lose pay or vacation time when it is combined, and
Whereas companies will not voluntarily offer better sick and maternity leaves without it being legally mandated, and
Whereas a legal mandate will put American companies on an even playing field with one another, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that Congress should get their collective heads out of their asses and pass legislation that
1. Requires employers that have a minimum of 10 employees to offer at least 15 paid sick leave to employees.
2. Requires the aforementioned employers to separate sick time from vacation time.
3. Requires the aforementioned employers to provide at least three months paid maternity leave.

Comments

[aeliakirith.livejournal.com]

I used to think having sick and vacation from the same pool was nice, because I rarely got sick and therefore had more vacation. I also like that I don't have to feel guilty about calling in, or wonder if I'm "really sick enough" to stay home. Knowing that it comes off your vacation time definitely removes some of the stigma of taking a sick day. But it's a double-edged sword, and it definitely encourages people to work when they really shouldn't, and share their germs with everyone else, especially if they have a vacation coming in the near future.

To your plan (which I agree with), I would add strongly encouraging companies to allow employees who are functioning but probably contagious to work from home when possible. It's not really something that can be mandated, because it's not feasible for all companies, but I think it'd really help curtail the spread of disease. Even when people have plenty of sick time, if you've got the flu or a bad cold, you probably don't stay home the whole time you're coughing and sneezing your head off. Having the option to get paid if you're able to be productive, while keeping your germs to yourself, would be a very good thing.

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Even if I’m normally a healthy person, I still don’t want my co-workers coming in sick. So it’s a benefit to everybody.

I’m not sure how you could really write a law or mandate that companies let people work from home when they’re contagious but functional. Perhaps some sort of tax benefits, but no mandated law? I know it’s not possible for us, because of the secure nature of our work.

I have to say that I’m not actually all that keen on working from home, or at least it being an expectation. If there’s an *expectation* that people have to work from home, it disturbs the sanctity of staying home and resting so that you can get well again. I can see even tax benefits leading to companies putting pressure on employees to do so.

[aeliakirith.livejournal.com]

I have to say that I’m not actually all that keen on working from home, or at least it being an expectation. If there’s an *expectation* that people have to work from home, it disturbs the sanctity of staying home and resting so that you can get well again. I can see even tax benefits leading to companies putting pressure on employees to do so.

Good point. I personally think that a sick day should be a sick day. If you have to take it out of sick time, you shouldn't be expected to do any work that day. Working from home while somewhat sick should be a regular day of work that's paid normally and doesn't affect your leave balance.