Welcome! - We're a coalition of over 80 local advocates, community organizations, labor unions, businesses, policy makers, doctors, researchers and policy and data experts working in collaboration to educate the public and policymakers about paid sick leave.: Jump to: Search, Content, Nav
January 17, 2011
Discounted Jobs: How Retailers Sell Workers Short
Retail is one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States and a core part of the New York City economy. This study, conducted in the fall of 2011, sought to track the wages and working conditions of frontline non-managerial workers in New York’s booming retail industry. We interviewed workers employed at non-union large stores and national chains from high-end 5th Avenue fashion to off-brand clothing retailers on Fordham Road in the Bronx. Because New York is the retail capital of the United States, and the majority of respondents worked in stores with a national presence, this study paints a portrait of the practices and conditions experienced by retail workers across the country.
January 10, 2011
Should Paid Sick Days be Required by Law?
Millions of Americans have to go to work when they fall ill, a phenomenon known as presenteeism. But mandatory paid sick leave is healthier for us all. Connecticut just became the first state in the nation to require employers to provide workers with paid sick days. The new law — which also allows paid leave for a sick child or spouse — is controversial. Opponents attack it as big government run amok and say it will kill jobs. But it is the right thing to do, both as a matter of humane treatment of workers and public health. And while the law doesn’t cover everyone, it’s a step in the right direction and other states should follow Connecticut’s lead.
Dec. 16, 2011
Editorial from Senator Wolf, Chair of the Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development Committee: Making the Real-World Case for Paid Sick Days
Paid sick leave should become part of the accepted responsibility of running a business in Massachusetts. To me, this is both humane and smart. A simple, consistent paid sick leave policy would make for a better work environment defined both in terms of quality of life and, long term, the bottom line. From the very beginning, Cape Air, the airline I founded, has offered paid time off for all employees – as have many successful businesses across the region and state. I can say from hard-won experience that this “benefit” does not break the bank. It is a minimal cost, often returned in spades when a grateful, trusted, productive employee returns to work.

…More Headlines

Stay up to date with our campaign. Just write to etoulan@gbls.org to be added to the MPLC list serve.
MPLC is committed to protecting your privacy. The MPLC list serve is an opt-in, permission-based email list. We will not email you without your permission. See our full Privacy Policy.

Contact your State Legislators to tell them this legislation is important to you!

  • Look up your State Legislators
  • E-mail your State Senator
  • E-mail your State Representative
  • Call the Massachusetts State House and ask for your Representative and/or Senator: (617) 722-2000
  • E-mail the Governor or call his office and tell him this legislation is important to you (617)725-4005 or 888.870.7770 (in state)

Activists Fight Real Contagion in Massachusetts

Contagion: Not Just a Movie tells the real story of how flu epidemics can spread. During the H1N1 outbreak, 7 million Americans caught the flu from their co-workers – in part because so many hard-working people without paid sick days were unable to stay home sick without being fired or losing a day’s wage.

Watch the real stories of five of the 44 million people who have been forced to go into work when they are sick because they couldn’t afford to or weren’t allowed to take time off.

We all have a stake in paid sick days. Almost 1 million Massachusetts workers lack access to a single paid sick day. You can make a difference! Join the fight for paid sick days in Massachusetts today! Contact etoulan@gbls.org to get involved.

LAWMAKERS CONSIDER SICK LEAVE MANDATE



By Meghna Chakrabarti 90.9 WBUR/RADIO
BOSTON/July 18, 2011

You’re in a restaurant. Your waitress approaches your table with your meal. And then…

She sneezes.

And you wonder, if she’s got a cold, why is she not at home.

Well, we ask this question because currently, the United States has no national sick leave law. And just last month, Connecticut became the first state in the country to enact a law requiring paid sick leave to most hourly employees.

Massachusetts may become the second state.

Two bills on Beacon Hill would mandate paid sick leave for all Massachusetts employees. The proposals, if passed, would go farther than Connecticut’s law.

Which is why many advocates say now is exactly the time to be pushing for paid sick leave in the Commonwealth. While small business owners and retailers say – in the midst of a recession, with the state not fully rebounding – you couldn’t ask for a worse time to yoke employers with another unfunded mandate from the state.

The debate over paid sick leave. That’s today’s talker: 90.9 WBUR/RADIO BOSTON: "Lawmakers Consider Paid Sick Leave Mandate"

"Workplace flexibility isn’t just a women’s issue.  It’s an issue that affects the well-being of our families and the success of our businesses.  It affects the strength of our economy – whether we’ll create the workplaces and jobs of the future that we need to compete in today’s global economy."
     - President Barak Obama

The White House wants you to be part of the conversation about workplace flexibility in your community.  To learn more, go to the Council on Women and Girls website.