New York City Expands Paid Sick Leave Law With Creation Of ‘Safe Time'

On Monday, Nov. 6, newly re-elected Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law "Intro. 1313-A," a bill that amends and expands the coverage of New York City's paid sick leave law. The bill renames the sick leave law as the "Earned Safe and Sick Time Act" (ESTA) and increases the reasons for which an employee is entitled to use paid time off.

Intro. 1313-A implements two major changes. First, the bill expands the types of circumstances for which employers must allow employees to use paid time off. Specifically, an employee may now use paid time off for a wide range of circumstances related to any situation where the employee or "family member" of the employee becomes a victim of a family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking. The bill defines sexual offenses, stalking, human trafficking and family offense matters by reference to the New York Penal Law. An employee's use of paid time off for any of these circumstances is referred to as "safe time."

If an employee or family member has been the victim of a family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking, the employee can use safe time to do any of the following:

Obtain services from a domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, or other shelter or services program. Participate in safety planning, temporarily or permanently relocate, or take other actions to increase the safety of the employee or employee's family members from future family offense matters, sexual offenses, stalking or human trafficking. Meet with a civil attorney or other social service provider to obtain information and advice on, and prepare for or participate in, any criminal or civil proceeding, including but not limited to matters related to a family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking, human trafficking, custody, visitation, matrimonial issues, orders of protection, immigration, housing, or discrimination in employment, housing or consumer credit. File a complaint or domestic incident report with law enforcement. Meet with a district attorney's office. Enroll children in a new school. Take other actions necessary to maintain, improve or restore the physical, psychological, or economic health or safety of the employee or the employee's family member or to protect those who...