The New York Legislature has passed COVID-19 Vaccine Paid Leave Bill under the New York Paid Sick Leave Law. The Bill grants time off for public employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Bill awaits Governor approval.
The Bill states that every public employee shall be entitled to up to 4 hours of leave or greater number of hours pursuant to an agreement or as otherwise authorized by the employer, per vaccine injection, to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees must be paid their regular rate of pay during COVID-19 vaccine leave, which is fully funded by the employer.
The New York labor law has been amended by adding a new Section 196-C to read as follows:
- 196-c. Leave time for COVID-19 vaccination.
- Every employee shall be provided a paid leave of absence from his or her employer for a sufficient period of time, not to exceed four hours per vaccine injection, unless such employee shall receive a greater number of hours pursuant to a collectively bargained agreement or as otherwise authorized by the employer, to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
- The entire period of the leave of absence granted pursuant to this section shall be provided at the employee’s regular rate of pay and shall not be charged against any other leave such employee is otherwise entitled to, including sick leave pursuant to section one hundred ninety-six, or any leave provided pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
- The provisions of this section may be waived by a collective bargaining agreement, provided that for such waiver to be valid, it shall explicitly reference this section of law.
*Tanvi Singh, Editorial Assistant has put this story together.
Source : https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S2588/amendment/A
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