Robert Reich~33 million of our nation’s workers have no paid sick days.
Only in America do we call working people ‘essential’ but deny them paid sick leave.
𝘀𝘁𝘂𝘅☀️@rbreich Wow.. I think it's even mandetory here in the Netherlands 
Only if you're self-employed you need to insure for that but that's logical I guess
Tom Maxwell
SmokeyGeo@tommyyum @stux @rbreich economically, is there that much difference, when negotiating compensation, for the employer to include XYZ or not as opposed to salary? Just the same way, employers in the US include health insurance but economists largely agree that reduces the salary component of compensation. Would sick days be any different?
I would agree for companies whose employees show up in large offices, encouraging ppl to stay home prevents infections but that's not the case on a train
@smokeygeo @stux @rbreich Setting aside the foundational truth that health care is an inalienable right, as well as the more specific truth that employer-provided health benefits (including paid sick leave) are basic human dignities, sick people being forced to work is unhealthy by every metric: for the sick worker, for their colleagues, and (in this case), every poor shmoo sitting on the train while Conductor Coughing Fit trundles through.
@smokeygeo @stux @rbreich Freight trains are still operated by many people working in proximity. Forcing sick people to work is not only cruel, it threatens profitability by needlessly exposing other workers to illness.
Suggesting that employer-provided healthcare and worker compensation is a zero-sum game is incorrect. This entire discussion is about human worth, something capitalism has historically benefitted from undervaluing.
Suggesting that employer-provided healthcare and worker compensation is a zero-sum game is incorrect. This entire discussion is about human worth, something capitalism has historically benefitted from undervaluing.
@tommyyum @stux @rbreich they are not being forced to work while sick- they are not being compensated for time off while sick, which is not the same thing.
Then it's a question whether sick days are really paid by the worker even if they are nominally paid by the employer. Just as health insurance is paid for by the employee even though nominally the employer pays for this.
If you were self-employed, you'd be more aware of this- the employers' social security contributions, holiday pay and all these other things you think are freebies- are paid by the employee.