The U.S. remains one of the only countries that does not guarantee paid sick time as a basic right, leaving nearly 25 million workers without the support they need and deserve when they get sick.
Since 2024, A Better Balance and leading cough and flu brand Theraflu have partnered on the brand’s Rest & Recover campaign. As part of the campaign – which raises awareness about the need for paid sick time for all workers – Theraflu has committed more than $1M in microgrants to support people whose jobs do not offer paid sick time, helping to offset the costs of taking a sick day. Together, we have worked to raise awareness of individuals rights’ to paid sick time, delivered a petition with more than 10,000 signatures to legislators demanding paid sick time for all workers, and called for businesses to rally behind paid sick time in a joint op-ed in Newsweek.
Now, during the height of cold and flu season, a portion of every Theraflu purchase will be donated to support A Better Balance’s work to make paid sick time accessible to all workers – because Theraflu believes everyone has the right to rest and recover when sick.*
Without paid sick time, millions of people are forced to choose between losing a much-needed day of pay or going to work sick – and for workers with caregiving responsibilities, there is an added “double burden” of care. No matter how sick they are, their responsibilities to children, aging parents, or loved ones don’t stop, meaning a day off from work isn’t necessarily a day of rest and recovery. According to a survey conducted by Theraflu and Wakefield in early 2026, a majority of working caregivers in America (80%) feel like they cannot afford to take a sick day even when they need one. Most (88%) find themselves taking care of others when they’re sick even though they should be resting. These caregiving tasks may include performing routine home tasks like laundry or dishes (65%) or parents helping kids with homework (52%).
And when those working caregivers don’t have the financial flexibility paid sick time can provide, the inability to rest and recover is compounded as they’re left choosing between their recovery, their caregiving responsibilities, and their pay.
To underscore this “double burden” working caregivers face, Theraflu partnered with five-time Olympian, founder, and mom, Allyson Felix. Allyson highlighted the ways a lack of paid sick time hits moms especially hard by forcing many working parents and caregivers to either lose pay or send a sick child to school. Other Theraflu partners – including caregivers, entrepreneurs, and educators – have highlighted the importance of paid sick time and A Better Balance’s work advocating for paid sick time for all.
Everyone deserves the right to rest and recover. We are grateful for Theraflu’s leadership as we work together to secure a healthier future for America’s workers as they care for themselves and their families.
*A portion of each purchase of Theraflu from October to December 2026 will be donated to, A Better Balance, up to $250,000. The funds will support A Better Balance’s efforts championing paid sick time policies for workers across the U.S., furthering Theraflu’s commitment to support rest and recovery for all workers in the US.