The Covid pandemic had an obvious impact in the physical availability of workers, with many requiring time off due to contracting the virus, isolating alongside those with the virus, or being debilitated while recovering from the virus.

Research from the Urban Institute suggests that the sick leave legislation in the United States meant that workers lost out on around $28 billion as a result of absences going unpaid. What’s more, this problem particularly affected women, Black and Hispanic workers, and the self-employed, with work absences rising by 50%.

“Missed wages from unpaid leave have affected populations already at greater risk of severe COVID infection and of economic and material hardship, compounding existing economic, racial and gender disparities,” the researchers explain.

“Workplace safety standards and public health policies combined with comprehensive paid leave policies that cover all workers, could help reduce the spread of COVID while protecting workers and families from missed wages due to medical and caregiving needs.”

Unpaid absences

The analysis found that nearly 60% of absences from work during the pandemic were unpaid, with women 40% more likely to miss work without being paid than men. This was mostly due to childcare needs. There was also a higher rate of absence among Hispanic and Black workers, with up to two-thirds of this unpaid.

When compared with workers in households with incomes over $100,000, those with incomes less than $25,000 a year were three times as likely to not get paid for any absences.

“The pandemic caused unpaid work absences across the entire workforce, but data on gender and race highlight the greater toll on women and minority populations,” the researchers explain. “Policymakers should consider how paid sick leave policies can promote public health and advance equity.”