June 17, 2011 04:58 PM UTC

Denver Democrats, Republicans and Independents Support Paid Sick Days

•  
• by: Progressive Promoter

(Yeah, but…what? – promoted by Colorado Pols)

A new poll by Anzalone-Liszt Research finds that 65 percent of Denver likely voters support the paid sick and safe time initiative language proposed for Denver’s municipal ballot.  

This is great news for the Campaign for a Healthy Denver working to place the municipal initiative so all workers in Denver will be able to earn paid sick leave based on the hours they work – up to nine days annually for fulltime workers to be pro-rated for part-time employees. Smaller businesses with fewer than 10 employees would be able to cap paid sick time to five days per year.

Released just as the Campaign for a Healthy Denver kicked off its effort to gather signatures to qualify for the ballot, the poll shows that support cuts across nearly every demographic group, including self-identified Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Highlights of findings include:

• A majority of Democrats (73%), Republicans (58%) and Independents (65%) support the initiative language

• Eighty-three percent of African-American voters support paid sick days

• Eighty-two percent of young women support paid sick days, including 78% of mothers of children younger than 18

• Nearly half of the initiative’s supporters (32%) are “strongly” for the paid sick days while only 16% are “strongly” against it

• Balanced statements for and against the initiative have little negative impact on support, shifting support from 65% for-30% against to only 63%-33%

Nearly forty percent of Denver workers – almost 100,000 individuals – do not have access to paid sick days to care for themselves or ill family members. Many working in jobs that require a high-level of interaction with the public go to work sick because they fear losing needed income or even their job.  

The barista who works with the flu because she can’t pay the rent if she takes a day off…well, you might just end up with a double latte and the flu. A sick childcare worker could send your toddler home with a hug and viral bronchitis. It happens every day.

In San Francisco and Washington, DC, where laws have already been enacted, studies show that workers are healthier and more productive when they have access to paid sick days. The studies also refute the corporate lobbyists’ predictions that legislation negatively impacts job growth and the economy –  six in seven employers surveyed in San Francisco say that paid sick days have had no negative effect on profitability and nearly 70 percent of employers support the law.

Isn’t Denver is better off when workers and their families can be home or in the doctor’s getting the care they need and preventing the spread of illness? Shouldn’t paid sick days be a basic standard for all workplaces to promote the health of individuals, families and our community? What do you think?