Paid Sick Leave and Sleep: An Analysis of US Adult Workers

This study examines links between paid sick leave benefits and sleep as an indicator of well-being.

Using data from 12,780 employed adult US workers in the 2018 National Health Interview Survey, the relationship between paid sick leave and sleep was explored while controlling for demographic and health status variables.

Logistic multiple regression analyses revealed that compared with workers without paid sick leave, workers with paid sick leave had significantly higher odds of staying asleep, lower odds of feeling rested, and marginally significantly higher odds of having little trouble falling asleep. The groups did not differ regarding the odds of taking sleep medication or getting the ideal amount of sleep.

The findings suggest a link between sleep quality and access to paid sick leave, adding to a growing list of health and well-being variables associated with paid sick leave benefits.