Guess what? Right now state legislators are meeting in Boston to determine their legislative priorities for the New Year.

That makes right now the perfect time to send your state legislators a quick note urging them to resolve to pass the Mass paid sick days bill in 2012! http://action.momsrising.org/letter/ma_psd_12_14/

E-MOM-Ts to the rescue of paid sick days in MA!

The MA paid sick days bill has gained a lot of MOMentum since the beginning of the legislative session last January: There was a very successful hearing on the bill in July, advocates and small business owners have been having productive conversations about how to make paid sick days work for the economy.

Now it’s time to make sure that the paid sick days bill crosses the finish line so that next year no family in Massachusetts is one virus away from losing income or becoming unemployed.

Send a quick note to your legislators urging them to resolve to pass the paid sick days bill in 2012. http://action.momsrising.org/letter/ma_psd_12_14/

Why are paid sick days so important?

It’s pretty obvious why paid sick days are good for public health: They help contain health care costs through prevention, early detection, and treatment of illness. With paid sick days, families will not be forced to send sick children to school where they will likely infect classmates and teachers; workers with paid sick days would not spread illness to their coworkers and customers.

Somewhat less obvious but equally true is that providing paid sick days turns out to be smart business too. Research shows that the costs of replacing workers, including advertising for, interviewing and training new employees often far outweighs the cost of retaining employees by offering paid sick days. [3]

Additionally, presenteeism, when workers come to work sick, costs the nationally economy about $160 billion a year in lost productivity versus absenteeism. [4]

Almost 1 million employees in Massachusetts are unable to earn paid sick days and that makes flu season a truly scary time. No one should be one bad virus away from losing a day’s pay or possibly becoming unemployed. It’s not good for families and it’s not good for Massachusetts’ economy.

Urge legislators to make 2012 a stronger year for our economy and a healthier year for our families by passing the paid sick days bill. http://action.momsrising.org/letter/ma_psd_12_14/

*And don’t forget to forward this to your friends and family so they can take action too!

Together, we are a powerful force for women and families!