More than half of American workers in the private sector cannot take a paid sick day. They must go to work sick, or risk losing a day's pay or even their jobs. Read on for more information on the issue and how you can help

IWJ Resources

Healing Injustice at the Workplace: A Faith-Based Study
Guide on Paid Sick Days
Use this study guide in your congregation to learn about and discuss paid sick days in a faith-based framework. (May 2008)

Paid Sick Days: Half of American Workers Can't Take a Sick Day! Background on paid sick days and the need for legislation, January 2008.

Bulletin Insert: Acting Justly for Healthy Families
An IWJ publication for the faith community, January 2008.

Coalition Letter Urging Passage of the Healthy Families Act
A letter to Congress signed by over 125 organizations, January 4, 2008.

Take Action

• Urge your Senator and Congressperson to cosponsor the Healthy Families Act (see sample letter here). You can see a list of current cosponsors here (Senate) and here (House). If your representatives are not cosponsors of the Health Families Act, urge them to sign on! Send them a letter or call their office and explain how every worker needs time off to care for themselves or a family member when they are sick. More information can be found in IWJ's background piece "Paid Sick Days: Half of Americans Don't Have Sick Days!"
• Organize an interfaith delegation to your congressperson or senator.  Use this toolkit to get started.
• Sign the petition to support paid sick days for tens of millions of U.S. workers.
• Ask your faith body, justice group, or other appropriate body to add their name to the organizational sign-on letter.
• Encourage the distribution of this bulletin insert in your congregation.

Further information and other resources:

The National Partnership for Women and Families is spearheading the Paid Sick Days coalition. Find information, talking points, the petition, and more.