Theraflu, a leading cold and flu relief brand, has launched the Right to Rest and Recover campaign in partnership with A Better Balance, a national work-family legal advocacy organization. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the lack of paid sick time in the United States and advocate for policy change. Currently, the U.S. is the only industrialized country that does not guarantee paid sick days for workers, leaving approximately 28 million workers without the ability to take time off when they are sick or need to care for a loved one. By partnering with A Better Balance, Theraflu is working to bring attention to the issue and push for the passage of the Healthy Families Act, which would establish job-protected paid sick time as a right for all U.S. workers.
According to a survey conducted by Theraflu, nearly 70 percent of workers in the U.S. have gone to work while sick instead of taking a day off to rest and recover in the past year. Younger workers are even more likely to go to work while sick, with 85 percent admitting to doing so. This not only has negative implications for the health and well-being of individuals, but also for their coworkers, families, and communities. Paid sick time is essential for public health as it allows sick workers to recover at home, reducing the spread of illness. States with paid sick time requirements have seen a significant decrease in influenza rates, highlighting the importance of implementing paid sick time policies on a national level.
Lack of paid sick time also has economic consequences for individuals and families. Workers without paid sick time are more likely to struggle financially, with many unable to afford basic necessities like groceries, rent, and utilities. This issue disproportionately affects women and people of color, who are overrepresented in low-wage jobs without access to paid sick time. Instituting a national right to paid sick time would not only save money in hospital emergency department costs but also promote public health and economic stability for individuals and families.
Aside from the benefits to public health and individual well-being, paid sick time policies also have positive outcomes for businesses and employee satisfaction. Research has shown that paid sick time leads to healthier and more satisfied employees, reduced worker turnover, fewer on-the-job accidents and injuries, and increased productivity. By advocating for a federal paid sick leave policy, Theraflu and A Better Balance are calling on more companies and organizations to support the right to rest and recover for all workers in America. It’s time for businesses to use their voices to push for change and ensure that workers have access to paid sick time when they need it most.
Through the Right to Rest and Recover campaign, Theraflu and A Better Balance are raising awareness about the lack of paid sick time in the U.S. and advocating for policy change. By partnering with A Better Balance, Theraflu is working to bring attention to the issue and push for the passage of the Healthy Families Act, which would establish paid sick time as a right for all U.S. workers. The campaign aims to highlight the impact of the lack of paid sick time on individuals, families, businesses, and communities, and the benefits of implementing a national paid sick time policy. It’s time for businesses to stand up for the right to rest and recover and ensure that all workers in America have access to paid sick time when they need it most.
