Why did it take a pandemic to make us value the lives of California’s essential workers?

As our nation reels from COVID-19, low-paid grocery, retail and food-service workers are on the frontlines of essential services. Yet, even during a pandemic, many cannot take paid sick leave – exposing workers, their families and consumers to serious health risks.

The Shift Project at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco has surveyed more than 30,000 retail, grocery and food service workers nationwide (one in 10 work in California) at 123 of the nation’s largest employers.

In a recent report, we found that, nationally, more than half of workers (55 percent) lack access to paid sick leave. The number is higher for female workers (58 percent) – often the primary caregivers for loved ones.

Just 8 percent of workers had access to at least two weeks of paid sick leave – the time officials recommend someone with COVID-19 symptoms should quarantine – meaning many employees who feel sick may also feel compelled to work.

Sometimes workers lack leave because their employer simply doesn’t offer it. Other workers face barriers to using this benefit because they must provide medical documentation or feel pressure to cover their shifts. And it’s just financially impossible for many retail and food workers to take two weeks off unpaid, even if for quarantine.

Recent national efforts to address paid sick leave have fallen short for employees of major retail, grocery and food service chains. The Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) expanded paid sick leave but exempted employers with 500 or more employees.

To address this shortfall, California’s governor signed a statewide order last month to ensure food and grocery workers receive two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave during this crisis. The California order is important but only covers sick leave for the coronavirus emergency and only for companies with 500 or more employees. But, thankfully, there are concrete ways to improve access to paid sick leave for all service workers permanently.

First, foundations and advocates can support building worker power. Union membership is uncommon among workers at the large retail and food service firms we studied – just 9 percent. But workers in a union reported significantly more access to paid sick leave, and smaller gender gaps.

Second, cities, counties and states can join California and other local governments to enact laws requiring employers to provide paid sick days beyond just emergencies.

Before this pandemic California has been a leader in mandating paid sick leave, guaranteeing it to most workers since 2015. But prior to Newsom’s order, just one out of seven frontline California workers (14 percent) had two weeks of paid sick leave.

California cities have also led on this issue. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose recently passed emergency laws that expand paid leave protection to two weeks for those affected by coronavirus, eliminate documentation requirements, and cover those not able to work because they’re high-risk.

Third, we can encourage companies to take the high road. Some employers lead by example in providing paid sick days: More than 80 percent of employees at In-N-Out Burger, Home Depot, Safeway, Costco and Aldi reported access to paid sick leave. There is more gender equality in access to paid sick days at these companies as well.

Some private employers have expanded leave policies in response to the coronavirus outbreak. But these measures are often temporary, and some require a coronavirus diagnosis or medical documentation, which renders those policies inaccessible for most workers. The coronavirus crisis will eventually end, but the need for accessible paid sick leave will persist.

Finally, we cannot stop at sick leave if we are to improve job quality – and economic opportunity – for millions of workers. Paid leave is just one aspect of work, and our research finds that low wages, unpredictable scheduling and lack of benefits all contribute to challenges for employees across major, essential industries.

It is sad that it takes a public health crisis to amplify the risks faced by the shift workers who stock our stores, fulfill our takeout orders and deliver necessities as we shelter in place. We should share our gratitude for the services they provide and the risks they take, but true thanks is making the long-term improvements needed in these jobs so that they provide a safe and fair stepping stone to better things.