The U.S. is notorious for its intense working culture. Rightfully nicknamed “Corporate America,” this label is often used in a derogatory way to describe American corporations, insinuating that the CEOs of these top corporations benefit at the expense of the working/middle class. “The rich get richer while the poor get poorer” is a common quote utilized on many social media platforms, encapsulating Corporate America perfectly. The underlying concept of Corporate America bleeds into the issue of America’s detrimental paid sick leave policy. 

America is the only industrially developed country not to guarantee paid sick leave by law. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), about 82% of Americans prioritize paid leave as a benefit. However, an analysis done on 197 countries around the world found that Americans surprisingly have the least paid sick leave and the second least paid vacation time, averaging around ten days. Although many Americans believe that paid leave is a benefit, the gap between this belief and its implementation could be more robust. 

A study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that about 77% of corporate workers received paid leave during 2022. Still, only 59% of workers in service jobs had access to paid leave. This means that for the rest of the 41%, workers lose a day’s pay if they don’t show up. This study also found that workers with a higher wage are about three times more likely to have access to paid leave compared to the lowest-wage workers. Workers with higher wages having more access to paid sick leave, compared to lower-wage workers, demonstrates an inequity in America’s working industry. 

This begs the question: what is the issue with America’s sick leave? The strict working culture in America discreetly ingrains an “irreplaceable” attitude in its workers. If one doesn’t show up, how will their job get done? One’s absence could also affect other employees, a thought many fear. Many perceive sickness as a weakness. By having too many absences, one may be perceived as unreliable.

The strict attitude toward work culture is something many employers take advantage of. The fear of being viewed as weak keeps workers working, even if they’re sick, ultimately benefiting only the employer. Service workers are the baseline of America’s economy; allowing service workers paid sick leave wouldn’t necessarily harm anyone except the perpetrator, Corporate America. Taking care of service industry employees is essential; without them, America’s economy would collapse. 

All jobs deserve fair compensation for sick paid leave, whether they are high-wage or low-wage jobs. It’s unfair for the most essential workers of our economy to receive the worst treatment. It’s obvious that Corporate America is the perpetrator, but that leaves the question: when and how will we take action? Currently, it’s difficult to determine a solution as guaranteed paid sick leave days vary from each employer to each state/country. However, we can acknowledge the faults of America’s paid sick leave and advocate for change until action is implemented!

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