Russia and Paid Sick Days

Bay Area Chapter 9to5 board member Dan DeNardo wrote a great story about a Russian immigrant's perspective on paid sick days.

Jenna came from Russia about ten years ago. She and I talked about this subject.

She still can't understand how employers would rather have sick employees come to work infecting many others. And wondering why the Productivity is down? Duh...

In Russia, you get x number of sick days per the number of years you have worked there. So after the first six months, you get 1 day. And it grows up to 10 days maximum.

Especially in these economic tough times, we need to get more productivity, reduce (true) excessive costs (like daily catered executive luncheons), go green and get the most out of every dollar spent in business.

A big thank you to Dan for his awesome story. If you haven't signed the petition for paid sick days for California workers, please do it now.

The Mermaid and Paid Sick Days

Jennifer worked as a chef at a seafood restaurant in Venice Beach. Her grandmother's recipe for clam chowder had customers coming to the restaurant in droves. Last year, her clam chowder had won the "California Clam Chowder of the Year" award.

It was 4:00 on Friday and food server Marcia was sick. Marcia's eyes were red and her nose was runny. In one hour, the restaurant would open for its dinner shift.

Jennifer turned to Marcia and said, "Marcia, you look terrible. You should go home and rest."

"I can't," Marcia replied. "I'm a single parent and my ex-husband is behind paying child support. I didn't work two days this week. And I'm late with the rent. My landlord gave me until next week to come up with the money. If I don't work this weekend, I'll be kicked out of my apartment."

"That's horrible," said Jennifer. "Can't you get a loan?"

"Nobody I know has any money," Marcia replied. "Because of the recession, a lot of my friends are out of work."

"There has to be a way for you to stay home," said Jennifer.

A voice from the corner of the restaurant said, "There is a way."

Jennifer and Marcia turned around and saw a mermaid.

"Who are you?" Marcia asked.

"I am the queen mermaid of Venice Beach," replied the mermaid.

"Mermaids aren't real. We must be in some kind of dream," said Jennifer.

"Honey, I'm 100 percent real. There' s nothing artificial about me," said the mermaid.

"I believe you," said Marcia. "So how you can help me?"

"My job is help food workers obtain paid sick days," said the mermaid.

"Why food workers?" asked Marcia.

"Honey, because when you're sick, the customers are grossed out. It's bad for business and it's bad for everyone," replied the mermaid.

"You're right," said Marcia.

"Honey, I have a petition signed by a lot of customers," said the mermaid, "I'm giving it to the owner of the restaurant."

"I don't think a petition will do anything," said Marcia.

"Oh yes, it will," said the mermaid. "The customers have promised that they will not eat here until all the workers are granted paid sick days."

"Maybe the owner will listen," said Jennifer.

The mermaid then left. After a few minutes, the mermaid returned with a big smile on her face.

"The owner agreed to paid sick days," said the mermaid. "Marcia, you can go home now and get some rest. Don't come back until you're better."

"Thank you," said Marcia. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Yes," said the mermaid. "Jennifer and you should sign our petition for paid sick days for California workers. Please tell everyone about the petition, because every signature will make a difference."

"We will," said Jennifer and Marcia in unison.

Workers Comment on Paid Sick Days

Since late December 2008, we have been gathering signatures for our Paid Sick Days petition. We've received great comments on paid sick days from California workers.

"I am glad to have paid sick days, but I also believe in the absence of close-knit, self-sufficient, smaller communities, that paid sick days is a human right. Everyone should have them."

"Paid sick says is good for business, good for workers, good for everybody in California."

"Thank God, as a teacher with a strong union, paid sick days have been negotiated. Everyone should have the same!"

"It is my belief that obtaining paid sick days is a human right to receive fair and equal treatment."

If you haven't signed the petition for paid sick days, please sign it now. If you have signed, please send your friends and family in California an e-mail about the petition. Remember every signature will make a difference!

The Princess and Paid Sick Days

Carolyn worked as a swimming coach for middle school children at a community center in San Jose. She was proud of her team. Last year, Carolyn's team had won a third place medal in the state championship.

Carolyn loved her job. However, she wished it paid more money. Every month, Carolyn had a hard time paying her rent and childcare for her three-year-old daughter Jasmine. Carolyn had no one to help her.

When Carolyn was a teenager, her parents had died in a car accident. Her daughter's father was always in trouble for doing stupid things. She was glad that he was no longer in her life.

Over the weekend, Carolyn had been sick. Her stomach ached and her head throbbed. She only had gotten out of the bed to take care of her daughter. The rest of the time Carolyn had slept. For some reason, Carolyn wasn't getting any better.

Carolyn looked at her bedroom clock. It was 6:00 in the morning. She had an hour to get ready to take Jasmine to childcare. After she dropped Jasmine off, she would go into work.

Carolyn wanted to call into work sick, but she couldn't. She already had missed work for two days when Jasmine was sick. If she missed work another day, she wouldn't be able to pay the rent.

Carolyn got out bed and went into her bathroom. She took a quick shower and got dressed. She looked in the mirror. She looked horrible. However, she had no choice but to go to work.

She then went into Jasmine's room to get her ready for childcare. To her surprise, Jasmine was already dressed and had her favorite book opened to a picture of a princess.

"Mommy, the princess talked to me," said Jasmine.

"You have a nice imagination," said Carolyn.

"Mommy, the princess really talked to me," said Jasmine.

"It's okay to imagine things," said Carolyn.

"I did talk to your daughter," said a voice from the book.

Carolyn stared at the book and said nothing.

"See Mommy, the princess did talk to me," said Jasmine.

"I am a princess of the Queendom of Paid Sick Days," said the princess. "Your daughter told me that you are sick and you have to go to work."

Carolyn stared at the princess and said nothing.

"You're right. My mommy is very sick but she can't stay home," said Jasmine.

"I can help your mommy," said the princess.

"How?" asked Jasmine.

"I will issue a proclamation declaring paid sick days for all workers at your mommy's job," said the princess.

"Please do it now. Mommy needs to get better," said Jasmine.

"Effective today, your mommy will have paid sick days at her job," said the princess.

The phone rang. Jasmine picked it up. "Mommy, it's for you. It's your boss."

Carolyn took the phone and talked to her boss. After a minute, she hung up the phone and turned to Jasmine and the princess.

"Oh my goodness, my boss told me to take the day off. She said the community center decided to give the workers paid sick days. The parents complained that the children were getting sick from the workers. They don't want the workers coming to work sick anymore," said Carolyn.

"Mommy, you can go to bed now and get some rest," said Jasmine. "The princess will take care of me."

"Carolyn, I will take care of Jasmine," said the princess.

"Princess, thank you for your help," said Carolyn. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"When you get better, please sign the petition for paid sick days for California workers," said the princess.

"I will," said Carolyn.