Paid Sick Leave During Health Emergencies bill blocked by GOP

[Isilwen]

but you have the common sense for your own health to avoid that if need be and not go in sick knowing that you have problems/

You missed the entire point of that post.

I may have to leave my job because I am at risk if this thing gets more widespread as I am already at high risk of contracting it because of my job. I live paycheck to paycheck. What am I supposed to do for pay?

 

[dogs4thewin]

You remember incorrectly.

OK, but still the government appears to like to keep things that are not needed.

 

[GreatLakes4Ever]

Good question if I remember corrently income tax was meant to fund the second world war been several decades over now and it is still here.

Here’s a crazy idea, how about the companies themselves pay for it as a part of the cost of doing business. Like an actual functioning company would do.

 

[Isilwen]

Oof, that is tricky. Be safe, and I hope you can find something that works out if things go crazy.

I have already been looking for work from home jobs, but I need a quiet place to work and I have a dog that barks randomly in a small apartment. So, those are out. Can't find just plain data entry jobs either.

As an EMT, that is all I know to do.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Watch how fast they move onto the next candidate that is next in line.

If enough people were to do that if they want the best employees they will do what that takes.

 

[Isilwen]

If enough people were to do that if they want the best employees they will do what that takes.

You have a real high impression of employers. This is an employers market, not an employees market. There are enough looking for jobs who want demand anything, just to get a job.

 

[dogs4thewin]

You said and I quote "Republicans usually expect people to be accountable for their own actions."

How does that read?

What I meant by that was Republicans expect people to manage themselves in such a way that when something like this happens they do not get in trouble right off because they have no money saved.

 

[Isilwen]

Here’s a crazy idea, how about the companies themselves pay for it as a part of the cost of doing business. Like an actual functioning company would do.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

 

[TLK Valentine]

LINK

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) blocked an attempt by Senate Democrats to quickly pass legislation on Wednesday that would require employers to provide paid sick leave.

The issue of paid sick leave has jumped into the spotlight amid growing concerns about a coronavirus outbreak within the United States. Individuals exposed to the virus are being recommended to quarantine for at least two weeks.

Sen. Patty Murray's (D-Wash.) legislation would require employers give workers 14 days of paid sick leave during public health emergencies. She tried to get unanimous consent on the legislation on Wednesday, which would have it bypass a vote, but Alexander said he could not support the bill.

Note to our foreign friends -- there is no federal requirement for paid sick leave in the US. Go be sick on your own time.

I sincerely hope that Lamar Alexander chooses to self-quarantine... word of this spreads, and people will be lining up around the block for a chance to sneeze on him.

 

[JIMINZ]

No, Most just want to be able to pay their bills and rest at home while sick if needed without worrying about money.

Until the next Health Scare comes along.

You'd become a Professional sick person if you could.

 

[ananda]

Nobody.

The Republicans seem to be holding out for a compromise where the taxpayers would pay the employers.

It always comes from taxpayers.

 

[Isilwen]

What I meant by that was Republicans expect people to manage themselves in such a way that when something like this happens they do not get in trouble right off because they have no money saved.

You realize that in this day and age, saving money is not as easy as it once was?

You remember my numbers, do you honestly think I could save anything? I am scraping coins to feed myself at the end of the two weeks in between paychecks.

 

[Tanj]

I do not know of any company that does not have some form of paid sick leave

Walmart. McDonalds.

Now you do.

Note Walmart have added a paid sick leave policy for this crisis, so kudos to them. But in their history up until a few days ago they had none.
In addition, McDonald’s would pay employees dealing with coronavirus up to 14 days of sick leave at its corporate stores, which make up about 10% of the locations nationwide.

I am actually having trouble finding a minimum-low wage employer in the US that (current crisis aside) does have some form of paid sick leave. Since you know so many of them, perhaps name a few and link to said policies.

 

[Speedwell]

I do not know of any company that does not have some form of paid sick leave

I've worked places were there wasn't even unpaid sick leave. The first day you called in sick you got to stay home without pay. If you had to call in a second day it would be just to tell them where to send your check, because you didn't work there any more.

 

[JIMINZ]

No, Most just want to be able to pay their bills and rest at home while sick if needed without worrying about money.

If two weeks off would break your bank, then you need another Job rather than the one which doesn't pay you enough to save for this sort of thing.

 

[dogs4thewin]

You have a real high impression of employers. This is an employers market, not an employees market. There are enough looking for jobs who want demand anything, just to get a job.

Then why is the unemployment rate as low a it is?

 

[comana]

What I meant by that was Republicans expect people to manage themselves in such a way that when something like this happens they do not get in trouble right off because they have no money saved.

I don’t believe that. Right now there is little to no incentive to save. Savings rates are next to nothing, however borrowing rates keep dropping. The message I see is spend spend spend and go into debt if necessary to do it.

 

[dogs4thewin]

I've worked places were there wasn't even unpaid sick leave. The first day you called in sick you got to stay home without pay. If you had to call in a second day it would be just to tell them where to send your check, because you didn't work there any more.

Tough place to work I think their turnover rate was probably high.

 

[Isilwen]

Then why is the unemployment rate as low a it is?

Because many have either stopped looking or no longer count in the unemployment rolls.

 

[comana]

If two weeks off would break your bank, then you need another Job rather than the one which doesn't pay you enough to save for this sort of thing.

If two weeks off would break your bank, then you need another Job rather than the one which doesn't pay you enough to save for this sort of thing.

I do have a good job and paid time off. I’m advocating for those that don’t.