Polls Indicate Strong Public Support for Paid Sick Days
It’s
clear that there’s overwhelming support in North Carolina and around the country for
paid sick days legislation. Consider the
following recent survey results:
In North Carolina
In
April 2008, AARP North Carolina released the results of what it
believes is the first comprehensive survey of workers in the state.
The
survey of 800 workers age 30-plus confirmed what the NC Paid Sick Days
Campaign already knows--that the public wants and needs paid sick days
to care for themselves and sick family members.
Here's what the polling found:
Broad support for paid sick days: 79% of respondents said employers should be required to provide a minimum number of paid sick days for full-time employees.
Significant caregiving responsibilities: One in six respondents is currently providing care to a family member or friend
Employer Accommodation Lacking: Nearly 20% of those caregivers rated their employers as poor or fair in accommodating employees' caregiving responsibilities
Nationally, a survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago found that:
Broad public support: 77% of American workers said that having paid sick days is “very important” and 86% think that employers should be required by law to provide them.
Retaliation common: One of six workers reported that he/she or a family member had been fired, suspended, punished or threatened with being fired for taking time off due to personal illness or to care for a sick child or other relative.
Paid sick days should be basic standard: At least 80% of respondents rated paid sick days highly as a basic worker’s right and a basic workplace standard. Respondents ranked paid sick days on a par with a minimum wage, overtime pay and family and medical leave.
Synergy with other states: The results from the national NORC survey are consistent with a series of state polls from California, Connecticut, Maine, and Ohio as well as North Carolina. In these states, polling on support for paid sick days legislation ranged from 66-87% and averaged 79%.
Paid Sick Days Town Halls underway-we're traveling around the state and coming to a town near you. Live near High Point, Durham, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, Asheville, or Charlotte? Then come on out and click here for more info. Paid Sick Days campaign launch press conference a resounding success! Thanks to all who came out on March 4 to show their support and check out our video of the event here.
We got our bills! The Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act, HB 177, was introduced in the House on February, 18, 2009 with 27 co-sponsors and in the Senate, with 14 co-sponsors, as SB 534 on March 11, 2009.
Polling shows support: AARP NC’s poll reveals overwhelming public support for paid sick days in North Carolina.
Tell us your stories: We’re collecting stories from people across the state. Share your experience—good, bad, or ugly with paid sick days.
