Why paid sick leave matters; a DC supermarket worker’s story

​Jibril Wallace has been working at the Safeway in Washington, D.C. for 28 years. She has worked much of that time with no paid sick days. “When you were sick, or the kids were sick, you went to work,” the UFCW Local 400 member said. “You found a relative who worked in government and had sick leave if you could. Or I’d do the overnight shift and their dad would stay with them, and I’d be there during the day.” Asked how she managed being sick herself, Wallace said “I’m not quite sure what that is—you still had to go to work.” But since DC’s paid sick days law was expanded to include part-time workers, Wallace has a new peace of mind. “It’s very relieving to know if your kid or you yourself are sick, there will still be hours on your check,” she said.  
Adapted from a longer report on the UFCW 400 website.

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