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Does paid sick leave encourage staying at home? Evidence from the United States during a pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Martin Andersen
  • Johanna Catherine Maclean
  • Michael F. Pesko
  • Kosali Simon

Abstract

We study the impact of a temporary U.S. paid sick leave mandate that became effective April 1st, 2020 on self‐quarantining, proxied by physical mobility behaviors gleaned from cellular devices. We study this policy using generalized difference‐in‐differences methods, leveraging pre‐policy county‐level heterogeneity in the share of workers likely eligible for paid sick leave benefits. We find that the policy leads to increased self‐quarantining as proxied by staying home. We also find that COVID‐19 confirmed cases decline post‐policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Andersen & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Michael F. Pesko & Kosali Simon, 2023. "Does paid sick leave encourage staying at home? Evidence from the United States during a pandemic," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 1256-1283, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:32:y:2023:i:6:p:1256-1283
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4665
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    Cited by:

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    2. Oikawa, Masato & Otake, Takamasa & Awatani, Toshihide & Noguchi, Haruko & Kawamura, Akira, 2025. "Impacts of health checkup programs standardization on working-age self-employed and unemployed: Insights from Japan’s local government response to national policy," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Abouk, Rahi & Earle, John S. & Maclean, Johanna Catherine & Park, Sungbin, 2025. "Promoting public health with blunt instruments: Evidence from vaccine mandates," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    4. Xiuming Dong & Johanna Catherine Maclean & David Powell, 2024. "Social Insurance Spillovers: Evidence From Paid Sick Leave Mandates and Workers' Compensation," NBER Working Papers 32751, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Pichler, Stefan & Ziebarth, Nicolas R., 2024. "Sick Leave and Medical Leave in the United States: A Categorization and Recent Trends," IZA Policy Papers 206, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Sumedha Gupta & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Christopher J. Ruhm & Kosali I. Simon, 2025. "The Impact of State Paid Sick Leave Mandates on Medicaid-financed Prescription Medications," NBER Working Papers 34485, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Johanna Catherine Maclean & Alberto Ortega & Ioana Popovici & Christopher J. Ruhm, 2023. "Does Paid Sick Leave Facilitate Reproductive Choice?," NBER Working Papers 31801, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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