A week or so ago a lot of urban Mamas shared how their families juggle work and sick kids who can't attend school. Some of us split the day with our partner, others leave it to the one working closest to home or school, and a (lucky!) few call grandma. As I was reading along, getting ideas and comparing my own situation to everyone else's (natch), it occurred to me that rather than griping about not having enough sick leave (which I don't), at least I have some - and, importantly, I can use it to take care of my kids without lying to my boss. But a lot of people don't have any sick leave or aren't allowed to use what they do have to care for family members.
It's heartening that this issue is getting some attention. There are legislators and activists working hard to pass the Healthy Families Act, federal legislation that would guarantee all workers sick leave - because too many don't have it. And without sick leave, parents are one sick kid away from losing their jobs.
If you, too, think all full-time workers should have at least some sick leave, check out what 9 to 5 has to say on the issue, then zip over to the National Partnership for Women and Families web page where you can lickety split sign a petition supporting the Healthy Families Act. Go ahead, let folks know how you feel, how you think sick leave is something all workers deserve. I mean, everyone gets sick, right? Not to mention the kids. If you're a wonk, you can read the bill itself and the Congressional Research Service (CRS) summary. So short. So informative.
And dare I say? 15 co-sponsors on this bill (not many), and not one from Oregon. This is an unsettling trend. I'm beginning to think that our legislators aren't on the forefront of family-friendly policy. You?
Yes, I agree that our legislators are not in the forefront. Sounds like we need to do something about that! Who is game?
Posted by: Kristin | August 23, 2007 at 09:55 PM