Paid sick days good for business, labor

Medical care is good for business health as well as worker health

I work with sick people every day at a health care clinic in the Southeast part of Albuquerque; we specifically serve low-income communities. At my clinic, we are always trying to accommodate people who need to see a doctor right away when they are sick. Too many people don’t come in for care because they can’t afford to take the time off of work to seek treatment. Delaying care means treatment becomes harder and more expensive. But we can do something about this to change it. On Oct. 3, we can pass the Healthy Workforce Ordinance. This is a common-sense policy that makes sure all Albuquerque workers are able to take the time they need to get well.

We know in health care that we must keep illnesses contained to safeguard public health. Health care professionals agree that when people take the time they need from work to treat their illness, they get better faster and won’t risk spreading their illness to their co-workers. The earned sick days ordinance will allow people to take the day off when they are sick and stay home, ensuring the overall public health of our city.

Providing paid sick days is essential for public health, and it’s also essential for our workforce. I believe in workers’ rights because I was raised in a family where both my parents had to work to provide for our family of six. I saw them bust their butts week after week just to keep us afloat. Earned sick days is a modest worker benefit that helps families that are just trying make it day to day.

Some oppose this bill, claiming it’s bad for business. Every gain for workers — from child labor laws to the 40-hour workweek to overtime pay — had to fight business-interest groups that said those worker rights were “unnecessary” benefits and are “job killers” or “bad for business.” Yet businesses, workers and our society are all better for having passed those laws. The same is true for earned sick days.

Employers doing right by their workers is an important part of a stable economy. I’m proud to do my part to stand up for workers, and this is the time for all of us to do what’s right by our workforce. It’s good business sense, good moral sense and just plain common sense to allow employees the ability to earn paid sick days. They’ll do so at a modest rate, one hour for every 30 hours they work. That’s a small cost to business and a huge benefit to workers and the health of our city.

Everyone gets sick, but we know we can lessen the spread of illness if people get treated earlier and the costs become less for patients when illnesses are caught early. Let’s ensure a healthier Albuquerque by voting “For” the Healthy Workforce Ordinance.