Paid sick days are the responsible way to prevent the spread of disease and keep everyone healthy by encouraging sick workers and children to stay home – away from co-workers, schoolmates, and customers.

Nearly 1 million people working in Washington have no paid sick leave, including:

• 170,000 in accommodation and food service
• 167,000 in retail
• 93,000 in health care and social assistance

Paid sick days ensure people can care for their health needs without losing a day’s wages, or their job. With paid sick days, people can seek preventive care and early treatment for themselves and their family members – and that keeps us all healthier.

Paid sick days also promote healthier businesses by preventing the spread of food-borne disease and boosting employee productivity and morale.

In September 2011, the City of Seattle joined the Connecticut, San Francisco, and Washington, DC in establishing minimum standard for paid leave.