NEW YORK, N.Y. — Tuesday, the New York City Council passed a law that expands the protections of their paid sick days law to include safe time. The law means workers who face domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking can take paid time off to care for themselves and loved ones.
Additionally, under the expanded policy, New York City will join Los Angeles and Chicago in ensuring workers can take the time that they need to care for their chosen family – a protection especially important for immigrant and LGBTQ families.
“Survivors of domestic violence, sexual harassment, or human trafficking should not have to worry about losing their job or income because of the need to take days off to tend to their mental health, medical or legal needs,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland. “This bill will ensure that survivors and their family members still receive pay while navigating the legal system or receiving social services. I want to thank Mayor de Blasio for his partnership on this proposal and my fellow sponsors- for their commitment to protecting survivors of domestic and sexual violence.”
“All families need time to care for each other and themselves,” said Wendy Chun-Hoon, co-director of Family Values @ Work. “We applaud New York City for making two important amendments today to their paid sick days law. The first recognizes the need for job-protected paid time to deal with crises of domestic violence or sexual assault. And the other recognizes that not all families look the same and therefore family definition needs to include chosen and extended family members. I have been honored to be part of a network of coalitions that are on the front lines of the paid sick days fight in New York and across the country. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I know firsthand how important it is to fight for inclusive laws—so that everyone can be there for loved ones when they need us.”
