Stories from Essential Workers: The Case for Paid Leave for Restaurant and Retail Employees

COVID-19 demonstrated to us that servers, dishwashers, cashiers, and retail stockers are some of the most valuable employees in our economy. Yet, we know far too many restaurant and retail workers do not earn paid leave as part of their benefits package.

Not only does this hurt our economy and our public health, but it hurts our communities. Too often this isn’t a topic that we have space to really talk and share about in community. So, with funding from the NC Families Care Coalition, Women AdvaNCe, the NC Council of Churches, and Moms Rising are holding, “Stories from Essential Workers: The Case for Paid Leave for Restaurant and Retail Employees.”

Join us for a free lunch, story sharing, and an opportunity to learn how to use your voice to advocate for your community. Check out the program below:

2:00pm-2:30pm: Doors open, people sign in, grab food, mingle, sit and eat

2:30pm-2:35pm: 5 minute Welcome 

2:35pm-2:55pm: Story sharing from restaurant and retail workers (2-5 minutes each)

3:00pm-3:20pm: Workshops 

**storytelling – how to use your story to advocate for change!

**talking to your elected official 

**letter to editor writing – how to advocate for your community in your local paper

3:25pm-3:30pm: Thank you and raffle!

An opportunity for story sharing. Every story teller from the restaurant and retail worker communities will be compensated $100 for sharing about a time they needed access to paid leave and the impact of not being able to access it.

Please RSVP for this event here.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Phone Number *

How many guests will you be bringing? *

be if and

Are you a retail or restaurant worker? *

• Yes
• No

If you are a restaurant or retail worker, would you be interested in sharing a 3-5 minute story about why you need paid leave at work? (Storytellers will receive a $100 gift card and transportation assistance if needed!)

Submit