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Flu or not, part-timers say they have to work

By: Erin Davisson
Updated: February 1, 2013
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LaCrosse, Wis.(WFRV)-- You've heard the advice to stay home from work if you're not feeling well, but for hundreds of part-time employees, that may not be an option.
    Brett Gerspach works two part-time cooking jobs and says he definitely feels the pressure of having no paid sick days.
    Says Brett, "Its up to you to find your replacement,  go through the phone lists of the restaurants,  call around to all the different people see if anyone's available."
    
    It's a pressure felt by food service workers across the U-S. According to a 20-11 study by the Center for Disease Control, more than 10-percent of food service workers surveyed admitted to vomiting or having diarhhea during two or more shifts.
    It's one of the reasons the Federal Healthy Families Act is expected to be re-introduced this year. It would allow employees to earn up to seven days of paid sick leave each year.
    In the meantime, Scott Stalter, general manager of the Eagle's Nest in La Crosse,  says there are ways to make sure sick employees are able to stay home.
    Says Stalter, "You've got to start with keeping a well-staffed bar and then I guess it just comes down to having people available to switch shifts around and work around people that might be ill in any way."
And while Gerspach has avoided the flu so far, he's not underestimating the need to protect his customers and himself.
    He keeps his hands washed and extra gloves at his fingertips.
    According to the CDC,  47 states including Wisconsin are still reporting widespread flu cases. 

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