New York City (NYC) has become the latest city to adopt a paid sick leave law, and it will affect up to 500,000 more employees.

The NYC Paid Sick Leave Law was signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio on March 20 and went into effect July 30. The law impacts companies with five or more employees who work more than 80 hours during the calendar year in NYC. The law also requires unpaid sick leave for companies with four or less employees.

According to the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, employees have to collect one hour for sick leave for every 30 hours they have worked, and a maximum of 40 hours of sick leave per calendar year can be accrued. Domestic employees can earn two days of paid sick leave if they worked for the same employer for more than one year and over 80 hours during the last 12 months. Employees can begin using the sick leave 120 days after their first day of employment.

The employee can use the paid sick leave for themselves or a family member such as child, grandchild, spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, child or parent of a spouse or domestic partner, or sibling (including half, adopted, or step sibling).

Prior to the NYC law, New York State law already required three days of paid rest.

NYC Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin said over a million employees no longer risk the decision of choosing their jobs or caring for themselves and family.

"Paid sick leave will lead to greater employee productivity and morale and lower health care costs," said Menin. "Not to mention that workers no longer have to worry about losing their job if they need to stay home sick with the flu or about losing a paycheck to care for a loved one who's sick. Employees will now be able to use the sick leave they've earned and we will continue to work to ensure employees know how to comply, and employees know their rights, to mediate complaints and, when necessary, issue violations."

Mayor de Blasio, in a statement on July 30, said the introduction of paid sick leave in NYC is the city's latest effort to move toward economic equality.

"We have worked very hard over the last several months to ensure everyone was aware of this day. The employers who drive our economy will see a healthier and more productive workforce-and their employees will have the peace of mind, knowing they will not lose their jobs if they are too sick to work, or if their child needs emergency care," added de Blasio.

The Department of Consumer Affairs noted employers must give their employees the Notice of Employee Rights, made by the department.

On a federal level, the U.S. has no legal requirements for paid sick leave. Companies are subject to follow the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which does require unpaid sick leave for up to 12 weeks pending on specific medical situations for the employee or an employee's immediate family member. An employee seeking to use the FMLA must have at least 12 months of employment with their current employer and worked nearly 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months.

In preparation for the paid sick leave law in NYC, city officials consulted with jurisdictions in San Francisco and Seattle.

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