Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- exempt / ɪgˈzɛmpt / (adj.) – not required to do something that others must do
Example:Students with high grades are exempt from taking the final exam.
- cut down / kʌt daʊn / (phrasal v.) – to use or do less of something
Example:The company is cutting down on expenses to avoid financial problems.
- drawback / ˈdrɔˌbæk / (n.) – a problem or negative part of something
Example:One drawback of online shopping is that you can’t see the actual product before buying it.
- call in sick / kɔl ɪn sɪk / (idiom) – to call one’s workplace to say he/she is sick and cannot go to work
Example:Jake calls in sick today because he has a terrible headache and can’t focus on his work.
- compliance / kəmˈplaɪ əns / (n.) – the act of following rules, laws, instructions, or requests
Example:The company ensures compliance with health and safety regulations.
Article
Read the text below.
More states are passing or considering laws that require employers to offer paid medical leave. Advocates say these laws can reduce financial stress and make workers more productive. But some measures also stress employers, and the patchwork nature of different state laws can create frustration.
Paid family and medical leave allows workers time off to undergo treatment or care for a family member or a new child. Separately, more states and cities are also requiring paid sick time, which helps people deal with shorter-term illnesses like the flu.
Many employers also offer paid sick time without a government mandate. Laws requiring longer-term paid family and medical leave are less common. Thirteen states and D.C. require some version of it, according to the National Partnership.
There is no federal law requiring paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid time off. It also doesn’t apply to a large chunk of the workforce, including employees of small businesses that are exempt.
Advocates say providing paid sick time can reduce the spread of disease.
It also can improve production by cutting down on “presenteeism,” or people showing up for work sick and unable to focus on their jobs, said Jessica Mason, a senior policy analyst with the National Partnership.
Paid leave for longer-term illnesses can help people focus on care and recovery.
What are the drawbacks? Skye Nevada, catering company owner, said that when someone calls in sick, she would have to pay that person and their replacement, who would likely get overtime.
“To expect small businesses to just absorb this cost is crazy,” Nevada said.
Small businesses often don’t have a separate human resources department to track compliance with mandated leave policies, noted Beth Milito of the National Federation for Independent Business.
“The paperwork is time, and time is money to a small business owner,” she said.
Mason says interest in paid leave has been building since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic really brought to the forefront of everyone’s mind how important paid sick leave is,” she said.
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Do you think all workers should have paid sick leave? Why or why not? How does paid leave benefit both employees and employers? Discuss.
- Interest in paid leave has been building since the COVID-19 pandemic. How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic changed your views on sick leave? Do you prioritize taking breaks when you’re not feeling well or exhausted? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Some people go to work even when they are sick. What do you think are the risks of this? Which is worse for a company—employees missing work due to illness or employees working while sick? Why? Discuss.
- Why do you think presenteeism happens (ex. workplace culture, financial concerns)? Do you think some employers unintentionally encourage presenteeism? Why do you say so? Discuss.