New IWPR analysis finds that four in ten workers in the United States lack access to paid sick days, and among those who do have access, only 55 percent of workers actually used any sick days in the previous year. Inequality in access to paid sick days exists within and across occupations, with supervisors more likely to have paid sick days than non-supervisors. Hispanic, low-wage, and food service and personal care workers are least likely to have access to this important benefit.

“This new research shows how the lack of paid sick days contributes to inequality in our nation. At the same time, workers’ use of paid sick days, when they have them, is incredibly modest overall. Generous paid sick days policies can promote good health and cover workers in the rare instances when they need more than a few days off,” said IWPR Vice President and Executive Director Barbara Gault, Ph.D.