February 8, 2021
Despite its progressive branding, New York State is home to the notorious 24-hour workdays, in which home attendants – most of them immigrants and women of color – work 24-hour shifts taking care of seriously-ill seniors and people with disabilities with needs for around-the-clock care. These shifts have taken a toll on the workers’ health and on their family relations, while imposing safety risks to those they take care of, as such grueling overwork makes it impossible for workers to provide the best care. The insurance companies have benefited from the 24-hour workdays by paying workers only 13 hours of pay.
Many home agencies have been forcing 24-hour shifts on the workers, but disguise them as ‘choice’.