Re:Coronavirus: 18% of U.S. workers have lost jobs or hours,...
by lkbm on Tuesday March 17, 2020 @02:37PM
(#22608468)
Many service workers are getting a lot less money per hour worked than before because they're tip-based.
A lot of employees also just lost their childcare as schools and day-cares closed. Getting half-pay and being free to take care of your children could be preferable to getting half- or even 80%-pay while having to find and pay a babysitter for the time you're still working.
Also, to add to your point, most service workers don't get sick leave, so it's not just the risk of being infected -- if you get sick, you don't get paid. Unemployment still pays sick people.
A lot of employees also just lost their childcare as schools and day-cares closed. Getting half-pay and being free to take care of your children could be preferable to getting half- or even 80%-pay while having to find and pay a babysitter for the time you're still working.
Also, to add to your point, most service workers don't get sick leave, so it's not just the risk of being infected -- if you get sick, you don't get paid. Unemployment still pays sick people.