Paid Sick Leave Analysis

Michelle Chen discusses the consequences of having to work while sick to both one's physical and mental health, in relations of theorists Marx and Durkheim. As Chen examines health, work, and paid leave, I will be discussing what both Marx and Durkheim perspectives would be on this article and what solutions they would provide to this particular issue. I believe that Marx does a better job in explaining the overall issues within this article, whereas Durkheim would provide a more suitable solution to the problem. In the article, Chen discusses the issue of workers suffering from an illness being forced to work. Chen describes how this results in the workers experiencing both physical and mental harm to themselves. Marx and Durkheim would view the role of the state differently. Marx’s theories would hold the state responsible for not caring for their workers. Durkheim would see workers that are not effective and productive as a vital part of the societal organism not functioning.
Chen describes lawmakers acknowledging the negatives associated with a lack of paid sick leave and putting forth legislation to guarantee access to paid sick leave for all employees. As stated in a newly published study, the absence of paid sick leave results could link to greater complications resulting in a mental illness to a worker that …show more content…
It’s between the workers (proletariats) and the people who are in charge (bourgeoisie). It’s at the workers disadvantage that they have no other choice than to risk their own health benefits. Durkheim would consider this a capitalist society in which he would mean that he would describe the workers to being exploited. Which means that although the workers are receiving the money to just get past his basic needs for himself and family, however they obtain a “false consciousness” as in they have realized that its not right. (515,