Study Reveals Earned Sick Leave Alone Is Insufficient for Uninsured Workers' Wellbeing

A recent study highlights that while earned sick leave—paid time off for illness or injury—can mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and promote preventive healthcare among employed individuals, it does not fully address the needs of uninsured and vulnerable workers. Since 2019, several states have mandated earned sick leave policies, expanding coverage to a total of 18 states and Washington, D.C. Nonetheless, the legislation's impact varies across industries and populations.

Research led by experts from Texas A&M University utilized national datasets and natural policy variations to examine how earned sick leave influences reporting rates of workplace illnesses and injuries across different sectors. The findings suggest that states with pre-2019 earned sick leave laws experienced a slight but notable increase in the reporting of work-related illnesses and injuries, indicating that workers felt more empowered to report health issues without fear of retaliation or job loss.

However, the benefits of sick leave policies are not uniformly experienced. Workers uninsured or facing economic, social, or legal barriers—such as undocumented immigrants—are less likely to utilize earned sick leave, often due to fears of drawing attention to themselves or risking employment consequences. Male workers in high-risk industries like construction, agriculture, and transportation tend to experience higher illness and injury rates, which may desensitize them to ongoing health risks.

Additional factors influencing sick leave utilization include union membership, with unionized workers being about 10% more likely to access earned sick leave. The decline of unions due to corporate anti-union practices and right-to-work laws has lessened workers' bargaining power for such benefits.

Experts emphasize that earned sick leave is only part of the solution. Broader strategies are needed to improve access to health insurance and address the unique barriers faced by vulnerable groups, including providing education and resources in accessible language and formats. Overall, while paid sick leave contributes positively, comprehensive policies are required to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all workers, especially those at greatest risk.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-sick-uninsured-workers.html