IMPORTANT LAW UPDATE FOR ALL EMPLOYERS IN NEW YORK CITY: On November 6, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed an Amendment to New York City’s existing Earned Sick Time Act (“Sick Time Act”). The Amendment will go into effect on May 5, 2018.
This Amendment will allow employees to use their accrued time off when the employee or a family member has been the victim of a family offense matter, a sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking (“safe-time”).
The Amendment will NOT require New York City employers to provide additional sick or safe time to employees; rather, the Amendment simply expands the reasons that leave may be used.
The Amendment also expands the definition of the term “family member” for both sick and safe time to cover: to any individual related by blood to the employee; and o individuals whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.
Employers are allowed to request documentation from an employee who is taking sick or safe time for an absence of more than three consecutive work days.
Employers MUST provide new employees with notice of both sick and safe time.
Employers MUST also provide current employees with information regarding safe time by June 4, 2018.
“Sick Time Act Amendment Goes Into Effect May 5, 2018” was written by the team in May of 2018. Please contact an attorney from Franklin, Gringer & Cohen, P.C. at 516-228-3131 to discuss this and other labor and employment law issues.