Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
The New York City Council passed the Earned Sick Time Act ("the Act") on May 8, 2013. The Act requires that New York City businesses provide all employees with protected sick leave for their own or a family member's illness, but its effective date was contingent on the performance of New York City's economy. City Council member Gale Brewer, the sponsor of the Act, has announced that, based on economic indicators, the Act will go into effect on April 1, 2014.
Thus, New York City businesses with 20 or more employees will be required to provide 5 paid sick days to their employees, and those New York City businesses with less than 20 employees will be required to provide 40 hours of unpaid, job-protected leave to their employees, beginning April 1, 2014. The obligation to provide paid sick leave will extend to businesses with 15 or more employees on October 1, 2015. Click on the following to view The Letter on Coincident Indicators for the Paid Sick Leave Law.
A summary of the provisions of the Act can be seen in Littler's May 2013 ASAP, "Are You Feeling Sick? New York City Passes a New Sick Leave Law?"
If you have any questions, please contact Terri Solomon, Jean Schmidt, Jill Lowell or your Littler relationship attorney.