2021 Membership Directory Final

New York’s Mandatory Paid Sick Leave In April 2020, the NewYork State Labor Law was amended to require employers to provide paid sick leave to every employee. On September 20, 2020 the NewYork State Sick Leave (NYSSL) law became effective and any employee working in NewYork State started accruing paid sick leave time. And, on January 1, 2021, employees with accrued sick leave time could begin using that time for qualifying reasons. Amount of Leave The amount of paid sick leave an employee is entitled to depends on the size of the business:

2021 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY & SERVICES GUIDE HOT TOPICS

• 5 - 99 employees - Up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year. • 100+ employees - Up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per calendar year.

Employees are immediately eligible to accrue leave under the law. And there is nominimumperiod of employment before an employee can use sick leave. However, unless an employer provides the required amount of sick leave up-front at the beginning of a calendar year or otherwise has a sick leave policy that exceeds the requirements of the law, an employee would have to work at least 30 hours before accruing any sick leave.

Eligibility for Taking Leave Employees can use their accrued paid sick leave for the following reasons:

• An employee’s (or their family member’s) mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition, regardless of whether the condition has been diagnosed or requires medical care at the time the employee requests sick leave; • The employee’s (or their family member’s) diagnosis, care, or treatment of a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition, or for preventive care; or • An absence from work due to any of the following reasons when the employee or employee’s family member has been the victim of domestic violence, a family offense, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking: a) to obtain services from a domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, or other services program; b) to participate in safety planning, to relocate temporarily or permanently, or to take other actions to increase the safety of the employee or employee’s family members; c) to meet with an attorney or other social services provider to obtain information and advice on, and prepare for or participate in, any criminal or civil proceeding; d) to file a complaint or domestic incident report with law enforcement; e) to meet with a district attorney’s office; f) to enroll children in a new school; or g) to take any other actions necessary to ensure the health or safety of the employee or the employee’s family member or to protect those who associate or work with the employee.

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