Requires all employers to provide paid sick leave to employees

3 Co-sponsors

• Ruth Hassell-Thompson
• Shirley L. Huntley
• Diane J. Savino

Title of bill

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to enacting the "paid sick leave act"

Purpose or general idea of bill

If enacted, this legislation would require all employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. Paid sick leave shall accrue at the rate of one hour for every twenty hours worked by an employee. Employees may accrue up to eighty hours of paid sick leave and up to forty hours of paid sick leave for employees of a small business. In the event of illness or injury, an employee may use paid sick leave to care for himself or herself, a child, parent, legal guardian or ward, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, spouse, or other designated person. Employers shall not seek retribution against employees who use paid sick leave, and the department has the power to order that reinstatement, back pay and/or the payment for any paid sick leave be granted by employers who do seek retribution.

Justification

In New York State, a large number of employees do not have paid sick leave available to them. The problem is most prevalent among part-time employees working in many different sectors of the state economy. The problem is greatest among employees toward the lower end of the economic spectrum, although it is by no means limited to such employees. This legislation would allow employees to take paid time off in the event of illness or injury to care for themselves or others, without fear of retribution from their employer.

Prior legislative history

06/03/2008 Referred to codes

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law; provided, however, that, effective immediately, any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.