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Sara Alcid's picture
‘Tis the season to give back to our communities and reflect on what each of us can do to help support the economic security and wellbeing of our neighbors who are right next door and across the country.
 
One major dilemma facing working families is a lack of paid sick days. Four in ten private-sector workers and 80% of low-wage workers cannot earn a single paid sick day.
 
Paid sick days are a matter of economic security and no mother should have to choose between her job or paycheck and taking care of a sick child. This holiday season, let’s renew our commitment to making earned sick days a right that every worker has access to.
 
And make your holiday shopping REALLY count! By supporting businesses that support paid sick days, you’re giving the gift of family economic security back to your community and using your consumer power to recognize business leaders who champion the issues we care about, like paid sick days and paid family and medical leave.
 
Without further adieu, let the socially conscious online shopping at businesses that support paid sick days begin!
 
MomsRising is grateful to our friends at Better Workplaces, Better Businesses (sponsored by American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance, and Social Venture Network) for organizing and recruiting business that support paid sick days and advocate for earned sick days for all workers. The following list is based off their state-by-state collection of employers who support paid sick days.

 

1. Gift Baskets from Bi-Rite Market

These gift baskets, packed with organic specialty products sourced from small producers in the Bay Area and beyond, are the perfect gift for a party host or your foodie friends!

 

2. Custom Coffee Blend from Dean’s Beans

A fabulous and thoughtful gift for the coffee lovers in your life! Personalize a bag of coffee’s “flavor profile” and even give it a custom name:

 

3. Books Galore from Politics and Prose

Everyone loves a good book. Check out Politics and Prose’s knockout selection to find the right book for your loved one. They also have DVDs, CDs and unique gift items to choose from! This DC staple is the First Family’s favorite place to shop on Small Business Saturday.

 

4. Fun Cupcake Mixes and Accessories from Cupcake Royale

Yum! These kid-friendly “cupcaking kits” and humorous apparel and accessories for the whole family are my personal favorite.

5. Tea, Tea, and More Tea from Perennial Tea Room

This Seattle-based tea house has everything a tea lover could ever dream of -- from loose teas to teapots and more tea-related accessories than you could dream up!

6. Tech Gadgets from Give Something Back Office Supplies

Have someone on your holiday gift list that’s hard to shop for? We know you’ll be able to find something for them among Give Something Back Office Supplies’ selection of the latest tech gadgets and accessories. The best part about shopping here, apart from their support for paid sick days, is that 70% of their after-tax profits are donated to people, pets, and the environment. And customers get to vote for where funds are donated! Be sure to check out their camera and tech accessories selection.

 

7. Home Improvement from Shiny Happy Cleaners

The perfect treat for working parents -- a visit from Shiny Happy Cleaners in Pittsburgh! This green, non-toxic cleaning company will rescue any family from a messy situation.

8. Delicious Pies from Mission Pie

If you live in the San Francisco area and are attending a holiday party or dinner, pick up a famously delicious pie from Mission Pie. We guarantee this -- your hosts and fellow guests will invite you back for years to come!

 

Taza makes stone ground, organic chocolate that the whole neighborhood will love! Pioneers in ethical cacao sourcing, Taza Chocolate is a great place to do your holiday chocolate shopping. With chocolatey gift sets galore, you can’t go wrong!

10. Brunch from Zazie and Busboys and Poets

Everyone loves brunch. Give the gift of a famous Zazie (San Francisco) or Busboys and Poets (DC) brunch to your loved ones with an eGift Card!

 

 

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Already done with all your holiday shopping? You can still support paid sick days by asking Congress to join you in supporting earned sick days at the national level! Take action here --> http://action.momsrising.org/sign/HFA_2014

 

The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of MomsRising.org.

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