NYC Paid Sick Leave: What You’re Owed and How to Claim It

Paid sick leave is a crucial workplace protection that allows employees to take time off for their health without risking their paycheck. In New York City, workers have strong rights under the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, but many employees are unsure of what they are entitled to or how to enforce their rights.

What NYC’s Paid Sick Leave Law Provides

Under the law, most employees in New York City are entitled to up to 56 hours of paid sick leave per year, depending on the size of their employer:

• Employers with 100 or more employees must provide up to 56 hours of paid leave.
• Employers with 5–99 employees must provide up to 40 hours of paid leave.
• Employers with fewer than 5 employees must provide up to 40 hours of leave, which may be unpaid if the business’s net income is under $1 million.

Workers earn one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and they can begin using it after 120 days of employment.

What Sick Leave Can Be Used For

NYC’s law allows employees to use sick leave for:

• Their own physical or mental illness or medical appointments.
• Caring for a sick family member.
• Situations related to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or human trafficking (“safe leave”).

Employers cannot retaliate against workers for using or requesting sick leave.

How to Claim Paid Sick Leave

If your employer denies your sick leave, refuses to pay you for it, or retaliates against you for using it, you have the right to file a complaint with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Employers found in violation may owe employees back pay, damages, and penalties.

At LAWYERFORWORKERS, we assist New York City employees in understanding their workplace rights and pursuing claims when those rights are violated. If you’ve been denied paid sick leave, you don’t have to face it alone.