New year brings new sick leave regulations

NEW YORK--Residents of the Finger Lakes, along with the rest of New York, are now able to use what Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office is calling the strongest paid sick leave regulations in the country. Passed last year as part of the governor's budget and going into effect beginning Jan. 1, leave can be used to care for a sick family member or to address safety needs for victims of domestic violence amongst other protections.
"Even before the coronavirus pandemic, we knew that no one should have to make the unimaginable choice between keeping their job or caring for themselves or a loved one... As we continue to beat back COVID and build a stronger New York, we are expanding this fundamental right to all New Yorkers," said Cuomo in a prepared statement.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul echoed those sentiments, adding she believes New York now has the most comprehensive sick leave and paid family leave programs in the nation.
New Yorkers earn sick leave based on the hours they work, earning one hour of leave for every 30 hours they work, retroactive to Sept. 30, 2020. New York's new guaranteed sick leave law requires businesses to provide different levels of sick leave depending on their size.
Businesses with 100 or more employees must provide up to seven days of paid sick leave per year, businesses with five to 99 employees must provide up to five days of paid sick leave per year, businesses with less than five employees but a net income of $1 million or more must offer five days of paid sick leave for year and businesses with less than five employees and a net income of less than $1 million must offer five days of unpaid sick leave.
According to the state, 1.3 million New Yorkers did not have access to paid sick leave prior to the new regulations going into effect.
While there has been criticism the new regulations will be a new financial burden on New York businesses, especially smaller businesses, Cuomo has argued the new regulations will keep the workforce healthier.