Family security promotes economic prosperity

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Whether caring for their children, an elderly parent, partner or themselves, all workers occasionally need access to paid time off to look after their own health and that of their loved ones.

Yet about 40% of American workers in private firms receive no paid sick days - over 1 million in Washington state. One-fourth of workers get no vacation, and 92% get no paid family leave.

In today’s economy, all workers need access to paid sick days for minor illnesses and routine health care needs, and family and medical leave insurance for the handful of times when they need extended time away from work to care for a new baby, a seriously ill family member, or their own critical illness.

seattle paid sick days signing

We can modernize workplace policies. On September 23, 2011, thanks to the efforts of the EOI-led Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce, the City of Seattle joined San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut in establishing minimum standards for paid sick leave. Active campaigns are underway in other cities and states as well.

Ensuring all workers have access to paid leave will pay dividends by giving children a healthy start in life, protecting family economic security, promoting individual health and business productivity, and improving public health and safety.

Learn more from the Washington Work and Family Coalition and Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce websites.

Featured Publications

Lessons from Winning Paid Sick Days in Seattle

Winning paid sick days in Seattle02.21.2012 | EOI helped lead the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce in a successful campaign to pass the Paid Sick and Safe Days ordinance in Seattle – and we learned a lot. This report outlines some of the key ingredients, from our experience, to winning policy change for working people and families.

Full Report »

Paid Sick Days: Healthy, Responsible Prevention for Washington

PSD: healthy, responsible prevention thumb01.20.2012 | Paid time off from work to recover from illness, care for a sick child, or see a doctor is a prerequisite for healthy workers and businesses, public health, family economic security, and even children’s success in school. Yet four in ten workers get no paid sick leave – including many restaurant, grocery, and health care workers who are on the front lines of food safety and public health.

Full Report »

Evaluating Paid Sick Leave: Social, Economic and Health Implications for Seattle

paid sick leave thumb05.09.2011 | Food safety and public health top the list of benefits of ensuring people working in Seattle have paid sick leave – but it would also improve children’s health and provide support for victims of domestic violence. There are economic benefits too: paid sick leave reduces business costs through reduced turnover and absences, and increases workplace productivity.

Full Report »

Choose a policy focus


Policy Success

Paid sick days

In 2010, EOI brought together a broad coalition to form the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce. Policy success »

Family Leave

EOI has worked to bring together diverse groups of organizations to update workplace standards, and meet the needs of today’s families and businesses. Policy success »

Policy Impact

Selena Allen

Selena Allen's doctor said her son Connor was due in May, but he arrived unexpectedly in early April, and faced serious medical issues.Read Selena's story »

Work and Family: News and Opinion

More work and family news and opinion »

Staff Contact

Marilyn Watkins,
Policy Director