Why U.S. Workers Aren't Taking Advantage of Their Paid Sick Leave

1.5 minute read

According to a new study, American workers are hesitant to use their paid sick leave, even if they are truly sick. Nine out of ten employees said they worked while sick during the past year, with nearly half saying they shouldn’t have.The United States lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to paid sick leave policies. We are one of four countries (out of 193 total) that doesn’t guarantee some form of paid sick leave for workers. The U.S. only guarantees unpaid sick leave.

Key Findings

Here are some key findings related to Americans and their sick time:

• 64% of workers experience negative emotions (guilt, stress, anxiety, fear) when calling out for work
• 25% of workers have been pressured or explicitly asked to work despite being sick
• 73% of workers agree that nobody needs to know why you’re taking a sick day
• Less than 40% of workers felt insecure taking sick time because others may assume they’re faking it

Younger workers are facing unique circumstances around sick leave and illness. Ninety-three percent of Millennials have worked despite being sick, whereas 68% of Generation Z workers have taken a mental health day.

Employer Takeaways

U.S. workers are not using their paid sick leave, even if they are ill because they feel guilt or stress. It is crucial for employers to have transparent paid leave policies that empower workers to use their sick leave when needed. In fact, some employers are even reclassifying sick time as "wellness time," creating a more supportive environment for employees to prioritize their mental and physical health. Balancing work and personal well-being is important to today's workers, and employers should continuously assess their leave policies to ensure they align with current regulations and meet the desires of their workforce. Download the bulletin for more details.