Paid Sick Days (Motion #06-21)

Moved by C. Gignac – N. Tessier

Approved by Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, February 18, 2021

WHEREAS the gap in access to paid sick days is a longstanding health equity issue, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;

WHEREAS data demonstrate that the gap in access to paid sick days is associated with transmission of infectious illnesses at workplaces, including COVID-19;

WHEREAS staying home when sick is one of the most effective containment strategies for infectious disease however, without public policy to support this decision, behavioural recommendations are limited in their effectiveness;

WHEREAS paid sick days also promote preventive care, create savings in the healthcare system, and reduce presenteeism (going to work while sick) with cost savings for businesses;

WHEREAS permanent and legislated paid sick days through employment standards are an effective measure to protect public health during pandemics and beyond, to curb the spread of all infectious diseases;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Public Health Sudbury & Districts express support to the Government of Ontario to support the calls for the permanent inclusion of paid sick leave provisions under the Employment Standards Act, as a public health measure to prevent transmission of communicable diseases including COVID-19.

CARRIED

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This item was last modified on February 19, 2021