Mandated Sick Pay: Coverage, Utilization, and Welfare Effects. This paper presentation evaluates the labor market effects of sick pay mandates in the United States. Using the National Compensation Survey and difference-in-differences models, we estimate their impact on coverage rates, sick leave use, labor costs, and non-mandated fringe benefits. Sick pay mandates increase coverage significantly by 13 percentage points from a baseline level of 66 percent. Newly covered employees take two additional sick days per year. We find little evidence that mandating sick pay crowds-out other non-mandated fringe benefits. We then develop a model of optimal sick pay provision along with a welfare analysis.

Sponsored by the Economics Department.

For more information, please contact Emily O’Brien at eobrie08@syr.edu.