Paid sick leave access expands with widespread state action: Low-wage workers without access face economic and health insecurity
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Over the past decade, 15 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws requiring employers to allow workers to earn paid sick time. As a result, the share of workers who have access to paid sick leave nationwide has increased over this time. However, lack of paid sick days is still a real problem for many workers—especially low-wage workers.

Across the United States, the share of lowest-wage workers with access to paid sick time nearly doubled between 2010 and 2023, from 20% to 39%. While this marks progress, it still means 61% of the lowest-wage workers do not have access to paid sick time.

“Presenteeism,” or working while sick, not only results in decreased productivity and increased risk of injury, but also poses a public health risk, scholars say.