‘Playing Hooky’: Paid sick leave day spreads awareness of rights
A range of prominent officials conducted a massive public awareness campaign this morning to remind more than one million New York City workers about their new right to begin using paid sick leave. Some 1,400 business owners and leaders, community organizations, workers, unions, city employees, and everyday New Yorkers spread the message at 150 subways stops and other locations around the city. The Mayor held an event near the Barclays Center with Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Julie Menin, City Council members, and other officials.
“Today is a big step forward to ensure New Yorkers can take care of their health and their families,” said Hector Figueroa, President of 32 BJ SEIU. “Now, working New Yorkers will no longer have to make the choice between staying home with a sick child and putting their jobs or economic security on the line.”
The paid sick leave law went into effect April 1, 2014 and will be applicable starting at the end of this month. It covers most employees who work more than 80 hours a year in New York City, including full-time employees, part-time employees, temporary employees, transitional jobs program employees, and undocumented employees. These employees are able to accrue up to 40 hours of earned paid sick leave each year. Employers must allow all covered employees to begin using accrued paid sick leave on July 30, 2014.
“This historic law will now guarantee one million New Yorker City workers access to paid sick leave,” said DCA Commissioner Julie Menin.