New york city workers get guaranteed paid sick days

In less than four months, many New York City workers will be granted up to five paid sick-days every year, because of the passing of the Earned Sick Time Act. By April 1, the bill requires that almost all non-government employers with 20 or more employees, have to provide any employee (with more than 80 hours worked in one calendar year) with one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Companies with 15-19 employees, will have till Oct. 1 2015 to comply.
Under the new act, employees may be granted sick leave for physical and/or mental illness or injuries, as well as caring for an ill loved one. If an employee uses three or more consecutive sick days, they may be required to produce valid documentation.
Employers are not required to provide more than 40 hours of sick leave, and do not have to give any sick-leave if they have already provided paid time off, like vacation and personal days. The act does not include those covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
The Earned Sick Time Act was originally passed on June 26, 2013, when the NYC Council overrode the veto of then Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It’s passage addresses workers’ rights, as people shouldn’t be forced to work while ill, or have to decide between coming to work and caring for a loved one.
New York City is not the first to pass a paid leave act. Jersey City, along with Connecticut, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle and others, have passed paid sick-leave acts. There are efforts under way to pass a similar bill throughout the state of New Jersey.
The law requires that all employers effected by the act, are obligated to provide documentation of the bill’s passage to their employees, by the commencement date. You should thoroughly review your job’s paid leave policies to determine whether or not your employer is in full compliance.
If you’re rights as a worker have been violated, you don’t just have to take it for fear of losing your job. The qualified New Jersey attorneys at Team Law are well versed in employment law, and can provide you with sound legal counsel. Contact Team Law at 1-800-TEAM-LAW, 732-388-5454 or fill out our online form here.