No one should be forced to go to work sick. No one should be forced to stay at work when they have a sick child waiting miserably at school. Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland unveiled a paid sick and safe leave…
No one should be forced to go to work sick. No one should be forced to stay at work when they have a sick child waiting miserably at school. Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland unveiled a paid sick and safe leave…
Now that the election is over, it is a good time to reflect. We elected these public servants. What do we expect our governments to do, from local fire districts and water districts to libraries to school boards, city councils,…
Last week, The Seattle Times published an op-ed by Michael Saltsman of the D.C. Employment Policies Institute asserting that a recent EPI study had found Seattle’s paid sick days law was hurting local businesses. As we pointed out at the…
A friend of mine ordered a sandwich two weeks ago and by the following Saturday was down with the flu. How did that happen? The worker at the cash register was feeling lousy, sneezing and coughing. And contagious. So my…
The nationwide flu outbreak has taken a dangerous turn, occurring five weeks earlier than usual and spreading at ten times the typical rate. As of January 10th, a public health “state of emergency” was declared in Boston as reports have…
Ask Adela Valdez how it feels to hear public health experts on TV explain ways to limit a flu outbreak. Get a flu shot, wash your hands, they advise – and if you get the flu, stay home until 24…
Progress doesn’t happen in a moment, it happens in a movement – and the movement to safeguard public health and provide basic financial security for workers is picking up steam. Across the country, grassroots organization, civic engagement, and a whole lot of…
We have a lot of public heroes. We tend to think of the firefighters, EMTs and police who arrive at an accident, save lives, care for the injured, and clean up the mess. But we often ignore some lower profile…
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…
Business experience, academic research and political muscle are backing calls by small business owners for “high road” business and economic development policies – and policymakers are listening. The recent campaign for paid sick days in Seattle featured local business leaders…
