President Barack Obama will renew his push for paid sick days and paid family leave for the millions of American workers who don’t have either during a visit to Baltimore on Thursday, according to Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the President.
Jarrett, who used an unconventional outlet to outline Obama’s expected announcements — in a blog for LinkedIn — said the President will call on Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act, which would allow millions of Americans to earn up to seven days per year of paid sick time.
“How many Americans have to show up to work when battling an illness even when they know they won’t be at their best, it will lengthen their recovery time, and they may likely spread their sickness to others?” wrote Jarrett.
“The last thing we should do is add guilt, fear, and financial hardship on working parents as they try to do what’s right — while keeping their job,” she added.
More than 40% of private sector workers in the U.S. currently don’t get paid sick days, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research .
During a lunch with a group of women in Baltimore, the President will also call on cities and states to pass similar laws at the local level.
