Disparities in Access to Paid Sick Leave During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to assess disparities in access to paid sick leave in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. METHODS: The percentage of workers with access to paid sick leave was calculated according to age group, sex, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, region, health insurance coverage, receiving public assistance, income, occupation, and industry. RESULTS: A total of 65.6% of workers had access to paid sick leave. Access was lowest among Hispanic workers, workers with less than a high school education, and workers without health insurance coverage. CONCLUSIONS: There were wide disparities in access to paid sick leave during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be associated with disparities in the risk for COVID-19. The introduction of mandatory paid sick leave may serve to protect workers from the spread of infectious diseases.