Thread by @DecentWorkHlth

BREAKING: New report explains what it takes to close the gap in paid sick days before it’s too late.

⬇️Key findings in thread below⬇️

Full report & release: decentworkandhealth.org/beforetoolate

#PaidSickLeaveSavesLives #CdnPoli #COVID19 #CdnHealth

Over half of workers don’t have paid sick days.

#COVID19 has exposed precarious work, including lack of paid sick days, as a public health hazard⚠️

This has been devastating on farms, in long-term-care homes, meat processing plants & other workplaces.

#PaidSickLeaveSavesLives

Low-income workers are most likely to be denied paid sick days. These are the women, migrants, racialized workers & workers with disabilities in our communities who need the protection of paid sick days most.

#PaidSickLeaveSavesLives #CdnPoli

Canada lags behind globally🌎. We are among the bottom 1/4 of countries that do not guarantee paid sick leave on the first day of illness - a crucial measure that allows workers to stay home at first sign of symptoms.

#PaidSickLeaveSavesLives #CdnPoli

👀Looking to other jurisdictions, we know it can be done.

In the US, 13 states & 23 cities or counties have stepped up to mandate paid sick days. 📉The results: 40% reduction in flu during flu waves in US cities with paid sick days.

The evidence is clear:
🩺 Workers without paid sick days are 1.5x more likely to go to work sick
🩺 Parents with paid sick days are 20% less likely to send sick children to school
🩺 Paid sick days result in 22% decline in foodborne illnesses

#PaidSickLeaveSavesLives

Shockingly, in response to #COVID19, no jurisdiction in Canada has raised employment standards to expand access to paid sick days. We need: 7 permanent paid sick days + 14 additional days during public health emergencies.

✉️Write to your elected rep now: decentworkandhealth.org/paidsickdays

Drawing on medical evidence & original research we highlight 5 principles of effective sick days:
🔑 Fully paid
🔑 Permanent: during & beyond #COVID19
🔑 Adequate: 7 permanent+14 during pandemics
🔑 Accessible: no barriers or sick notes
🔑 Universal: regardless of status

Required sick notes must be prohibited.
🗒️ 83% of physicians surveyed agreed that patients can determine when to return to work.
🗒️ They are a waste of healthcare resources with 76% of physicians writing at least one sick note a day.

#PaidSickLeaveSavesLives #CdnPoli

Paid sick days are not just a matter of public health. Implementing effective policy is also a matter of economic, racial, gender & disability justice.

This is clear now more than ever. Those most likely to contract COVID-19 are also least likely to be have paid sick days.

📢Call to Action

Health providers are calling for at least 7 permanent paid sick days + 14 during public health emergencies. Equipped with new evidence from this report, we're launching a campaign to mount pressure on political leaders.

📢Add your voice: decentworkandhealth.org/paidsickdays