Marcelino Flores delivers food at Picos restaurant in Houston. Only about half the service workers in the U.S. receive paid sick leave.

Recently, a patient walked into my clinic complaining of diarrhea and crampy abdominal pain. It was clear she had gastroenteritis, a “stomach bug,” and that she should stay home, hydrate and rest. Her symptoms had already begun to improve so I was puzzled as to why she had even bothered to come in, but the answer soon became obvious.

“Do you think I can get a doctor’s note so that I can take today and tomorrow off?” she asked.

Her question hit me with a pang of annoyance — not at her, but at the fact that she was forced to come in to get a note.

Advertisement

Article continues below this ad

In my several years of practice, my wealthy patients working in tech have yet to ask me for a doctor’s note. When I worked at a health startup, I never even thought of asking for a note from a doctor, as my, “I’m sick so I will be out today” was never met with anything but wishes for a speedy recovery.

But as practically any urgent care physician will tell you, blue-collar workers like this patient (who worked in a cafeteria) are frequently asked to provide a doctor’s approval for their right to take a sick day.

With no federal law mandating paid sick leave, access to paid sick time varies........

© San Francisco Chronicle