Quantcast
breaking news

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

By: Erin Davisson
Updated: February 1, 2013
watch video
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. 

Comments

Log in to comment on this article

Readers Feel...

hello
Related Content

This is the final part of our special report...

More than 300,000 visit Houdini Plaza every year ...

The Green Bay Packers all-time leading rusher is Friday's VIP sportscaster....

Runners get ready for race...

Two concepts were presented to citizens on Thursday...

Board gives approval for negotiations to host high school volleyball and girls high school basketball tourneys...

The Green Bay Police Department is investigating a homicide....

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones and his wife Tamika are inviting you out tonight, to help disadvantaged children....

David Behrend works on housing for disabled, displace vets and their families...

Dick Trickle was a race car driver born in Wisconsin Rapids....

 
 
Facebook Activity
News Anchors
 
 
©1998 - 2013 Wearegreenbay.com
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
All Rights Reserved