WASHINGTON -- If you're sick with the flu, you're supposed to stay home, right? But what happens when you're out of sick days?
For many people, a day off without pay just isn't an option. That's why Congress is getting involved.
Nearly half the workers in this country -- 57 million -- have no paid sick leave, leading to tough choices when a worker, or their child, gets sick.
Many without sick leave are low-wage workers: waitresses, sales clerks, school bus drivers. Desiree Rosato lost two weeks of pay when all three of her kids got the flu.
"Sometimes we end up borrowing from rent money we put aside," said Rosato, who is a special education assistant. "We hate to do that but sometimes we have no choice."
The government says if you get swine flu, you should be responsible and stay home. But many families can't afford to.
"What's responsible when staying home means risking a paycheck or a job that your family depends on?" said Debra Ness with the National Partnership for Women and Families.
Lawmakers are introducing emergency legislation that would require employers to pay sick workers for up to seven days.
"Families shouldn't have to choose between staying healthy and making ends meet," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Connecticut.
But businesses -- especially small ones -- worry how that could impact the bottom line.
"It's going to be stretched, and we're going to have to make very difficult decisions," said Elissa O'Brien with the Society of Human Resource Management.
"If I'm the guy with 15 employees, do you think I'd consider hiring a 16th one with us considering this piece of legislation? I wouldn't be able to," said Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming.
Some companies already offer paid sick leave and fear a federal law may force them to add even more.
The House already has a bill. The Senate's bill is being written. If it passes, guaranteed paid sick leave could be a reality in just two weeks after it's approved.
