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. 2017 Sep;59(9):822-829.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001076.

Potential Economic Benefits of Paid Sick Leave in Reducing Absenteeism Related to the Spread of Influenza-Like Illness

Abay Asfaw  1 , Roger Rosa, Regina Pana-Cryan
Affiliations

Potential Economic Benefits of Paid Sick Leave in Reducing Absenteeism Related to the Spread of Influenza-Like Illness

Abay Asfaw et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: Most U.S. employers are not required to provide paid sick leave (PSL), and there is limited information on the economic return of providing PSL. We estimated potential benefits to employers of PSL in reducing absenteeism related to the spread of influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: We used nationally representative data and a negative binomial random effects model to estimate the impact of PSL in reducing overall absence due to illness or injury. We used published data to compute the share of ILI from the total days of absence, ILI transmission rates at workplaces, wages, and other parameters.

Results: Providing PSL could have saved employers $0.63 to $1.88 billion in reduced ILI-related absenteeism costs per year during 2007 to 2014 in 2016 dollars.

Conclusion: These findings might help employers consider PSL as an investment rather than as a cost without any return.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors Asfaw, Rosa, and Pana-Cryan have no relationships/conditions/circumstances that present potential conflict of interest.

The JOEM editorial board and planners have no financial interest related to this research.

No external funding was provided for this research. The authors declare no actual or potential conflicts of interest.

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