In November 2009, Reps. George Miller and Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) introduced HR 3991, the Emergency Influenza Containment Act (EICA), which provides up to five days of paid sick leave for employees whose employers have directed them to leave work or not to come in to work due to contagious illness.

Regardless of whether the EICA becomes law, the threat of pandemic should prompt employers to examine their sick leave policies. Sick leave does no good if employees aren’t using it... [906 word article, January 2010]