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New York State Passes Bill to Guarantee Job Protection and Sick Leave for New Yorkers

Governor Cuomo announced on Wednesday that the Legislation has come to an agreement on a proposed bill that will guarantee job protection and sick time for individuals who are affected by mandatory COVID-19 quarantine.

As of the announcement, New York state has confirmed 432 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,374 confirmed cases.

"The single most effective way to contain the spread of this virus is to ensure people who may have come into contact with it do not interact with others. Last week I said we would lead by example by guaranteeing two weeks' pay for state workers who have been quarantined as a result of COVID-19," Governor Cuomo said. "The paid sick leave measure we've agreed to today expands those protections to all New Yorkers - because no New Yorker should lose their job or income for following a critical public health order.”

To address the immediate need of employees affected by COVID-19, who are subject to mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation, the Governor's Legislation will provide the following:

  • Employers with ten or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide job protection for the duration of the quarantine order and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000.
  • Employers with 11-99 employees and employers with ten or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million will provide at least five days of paid sick leave, job protection for the duration of the quarantine order, and guarantee their workers access to Paid Family Leave and disability benefits (short-term disability) for the period of quarantine including wage replacement for their salaries up to $150,000.
  • Employers with 100 or more employees, as well as all public employers (regardless of the number of employees), will provide at least 14 days of paid sick leave and guarantee job protection for the duration of the quarantine order.

These stipulations are set to take effect immediately.

As part of Governor Cuomo’s State of the State and FY 2021 budget, the Governor had proposed a comprehensive Sick Leave policy, which has been accelerated as part of the bill and will continue on a permanent basis. The provisions listed below are set to take effect 180 days following enactment.

  • Employers with four or fewer employees and a net income less than $1 million will provide at least five days of unpaid sick leave each year.
  • Employers with 5-99 employees and employers with four or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million will provide at least five days of paid sick leave each year.
  • Employers with 100 or more employees will provide at least seven days of paid sick leave each year.

New York State is also ramping up on drive through COVID-19 testing sites, as well as pulling together a network of former doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals to be on call during this time of crisis.

Reach out to your OneDigital representative for further information and support, and visit the OneDigital Coronavirus Advisory Hub for resources, updates and informative advisory sessions.

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