I am writing to express my support for paid sick days for all workers in Vermont.
There are nearly 100,000 Vermonters who don’t receive any paid sick leave. People need a minimum standard of earned leave to use to take care of their own health and the health of their families. If I’m ill and go into work, how many people do I feasibly infect in a day? Sixty?
I work three hours a day as a school bus driver, which means I could also risk getting kids sick. Most people couldn’t survive working the hours I do, and most people with full time jobs can’t afford to lose a day’s pay.
Our government needs to work for the people. If you’re sick, stay home. No one should feel like they have to go into work ill because they’re worried about paying their bills.
I urge my senators, Christopher Bray and Claire Ayer, to pass the Healthy Workplaces Bill into law when it comes to a vote. Everyone deserves this benefit.
Richard Hollenbeck, Bristol