New York City private-sector employers must offer sick leave to their employees. Sick leave is a growing issue among employers, and New York joins Connecticut, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Washington, DC as requiring employers to fund time off for sickness.
The New York Earned Sick Time Act was passed by City Council and then vetoed by Mayor Bloomberg. The City Counsel overrode the veto, making the Act law.
Private sector employers with employees working in New York City are subject to the law. Employers with 20 employees or more must provide paid sick leave; other employers must provide unpaid leave. The amount of leave varies depending on hours work. Covered employees are those who work at least 80 hours in the year, and these individuals must receive one hour of sick leave for each 30 hours worked. Employees may use up to 40 hours of leave per year, and time not used must carry over to subsequent years.
Sick leave can be used for an employees illness, injury or health condition, or that of a family member. It may also be used in cases of a public health emergency. Employers have the right to set limited parameters on the usage of the time. An employer’s existing time off policy might be considered to cover the sick leave.
Employers with a presence in New York City should review the new leave requirements to confirm compliance when they go into effect in 2014.
