Parents are missing work at record levels due to sick kids

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SALT LAKE CITY — With RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 spreading across the nation, parents are missing work at an all-time high due to kids getting sick.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 100,000 parents across the country missed work in October because of childcare problems when their children get sick.

"Once November hits, we think this is the most wonderful time of the year, for being sick," Chaz Ricks said.

Ricks has two young girls, ages 7 and 3, and says with his girls in school, it's led to some sickness.

"We have had to deal with croup, the flu, had to deal with colds and everything in between," he said.

Rick said that even with his kids being sick, he has still been able to work remotely.

"I haven't had to use any sick days. I go between cleaning up puke to getting back to work," Ricks said.

According to the Department of Workforce Services, 35% of all workers in the nation were working from home during the pandemic and now those working from home in the tripledemic are thankful for that option.

"Being able to stay home and work has been so great, it's one of the great things from the pandemic," Ricks said.