Philadelphia councilmen want to mandate sick leave

Plan to make sick workers take time off with pay would alleviate risk of infecting others throughout the city. Philadelphia would be the first city in the country to pass such as law.

Philadelphia is attempting to mandate sick time for workers. It would be the first city in the nation to do so.

A bill, proposed by City Councilmen Darrell Clark and William Greenlee, would guarantee paid sick time for private-sector workers in the city. Dr. James Plumb says people who don’t have sick time avoid treatment until symptoms become serious.

“I have patients who have experienced chest pain and or severe headaches who put off treatment for a few weeks for fear of taking off work only to find out they have severe hypertension,” said Plumb. “I have mothers whose child is sent to day care with diarrhea only to infect other children and day-care workers.”

Greenlee says he’s not sure there will be enough votes to pass the bill, but he is giving it a try because sick people can infect others. Most restaurant workers don’t have sick time, said Greenlee, adding they are in the position to spread illness through direct contact or by preparing food.