Millions Without Sick Leave Fear Flu

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 2, 2009 at 12:52 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2009 at 12:52 PM CST

CHICAGO (AP) - As the swine flu spreads across the nation public health officials are pleading with the ill to stay home until the fever goes away.

But many American workers face tough choices about whether to call in sick or muddle through because skipping work may mean missing a rent payment.

Across the country employers of all sizes are making contingency plans for a hard-hitting flu season.

Some business owners are training employees to fill in for absent colleagues. Others are relaxing sick leave policies.

Other companies are taking advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They're moving desks farther apart, creating more shifts to have fewer people on duty at a time and reducing employee travel.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor about a third of the nation's workers don't have paid sick leave.