A slightly tired employee sitting at home, holding a phone to their ear to report being sick and unable to work, illustrating responsible sick leave under New York City’s ESSTA requirements.

On September 25, 2025, the New York City Council approved major amendments to the NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) and the Temporary Schedule Change Act (TSCA). The changes take effect February 22, 2026, and expand NYC employees’ rights to take both paid and unpaid leave for new categories of personal and family … Read more

Lawful Absences

On November 21, 2022, Governor Hochul signed an amendment to the New York Labor Law to enhance employee protections against retaliation. The amendment adds an express prohibition of retaliation for any lawful absences from work. The amendment takes effect on February 19, 2023. New York Labor Law Section 215 Section 215 of the New York … Read more

New York Paid Sick Leave Law

On April 3, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed 2021 budget legislation that included sick leave for employees throughout New York. In addition to illnesses and injuries, the leave is available for circumstances related to domestic violence. Employees begin accruing sick leave on September 30, 2020, and may use it starting January 1, 2021. New York … Read more