Apr 16, 2008 11:56 pm US/Eastern
How Working Parents Cope With Sick Children
MIAMI (CBS News) ―
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Fitness Instructor Young Ajello is a contract worker, so if she takes a day off to take care of her sick child, she doesn't get paid.
CBS
Diana Ennen has been working from the comfort of her own home since 1985, when she had her first child. That's when she decided to quit her job and start her own business as a virtual assistant, writing press releases and marketing authors and their books.
"My hours are my own and the flexibility is just great," said Ennen. She even published several books on the "How To's" so others could start their own online businesses.
Being her own boss has made a big difference especially when one of her three children has gotten sick. Unlike many working parents, she could stay home with them. Something her 10-year-old daughter Amber really appreciates.
"She has told me before is that I am there for her when she is sick, for her to realize that is gratifying it really counts," said Ennen.
Unfortunately, for many working moms when their children get sick, they don't have that choice.
Many companies don't offer paid sick leave. Some even prohibit employees from taking sick leave to take care of a child.
We talked with Young Ajello who works part-time teaching exercise classes at Health Clubs of America in Miramar. As an independent contractor, she only gets paid when she works.
"Financially, I don't get paid. I have to pay a co-pay and end up losing money," said Ajello.
The company does have a free daycare on its premises which helps her out when she is working, and her employers are very flexible, believing family comes first.
"If one of our instructor's children is sick, their child is their first priority," said Rhoda Rodan with Health Clubs of America.
South Florida-based Carnival Cruise Lines offers paid sick leave for full and part time employees, and company policy states sick days may be used to care for a sick child.
That's not the case across the country, where out of the nation's private workforce, roughly 50 million employees, 43% don't get paid when they call in sick, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And only 30% of workers with sick pay can use the day off to care for sick kids, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research.
As a result, many end up sending their kids to school or day care sick spreading germs and illness to other children.
Lawmakers from 11 states are considering a bill that would make paid sick days a basic labor standard.
The issue has even hit the campaign trail where U.S. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have come out in support of mandatory paid sick days.
Congress may also vote this year on the Healthy Families Act, which would require businesses with fifteen or more employees to give workers at least seven paid sick days per year.
The movement does face stiff opposition from business leaders who say the requirement would drive up costs, force layoffs and put some companies out of business.
Last year 10 states including Florida, considered sick pay bills but none of the bills in those states passed.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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