On March 12, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill requiring that all public and private employers in New York State provide their workforces with up to four hours of paid time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
More particularly, the law requires that Empire State employers provide their employees with "a sufficient period of time, not exceed four hours," to receive the vaccine. Notably, this is a per-injection entitlement, meaning that employees receiving a two-dose vaccine will be eligible for up to eight hours of paid time off. Additionally, time off under the new law cannot be charged against any other leave to which the employee is entitled (e.g., under New York State's or City's respective paid safe and sick time laws). The law also bars discrimination and retaliation against employees for exercising their rights thereunder, including for requesting or obtaining a leave of absence to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
