New York Safe and Sick Leave

Beginning January 1, 2021, Columbia University will provide eligible employees in New York State with up to 56 hours of paid safe and sick time annually, pursuant to the New York State Sick Leave law (NYSSL) and the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA).

What Is Changing

The number of safe and sick leave hours, which may be used for any of the reasons listed in the New York Sick and Safe Leave Policy, will increase to 56 hours per year, from the current 40.

What You Need to Know

There will be no change in the total amount of paid medical leave for those faculty and staff who currently are eligible for paid medical leave because sick leave policies will run concurrently.
Eligible faculty and staff will now be able to use up to 56 hours per year of sick and safe leave for any reasons listed in the New York Safe and Sick Leave Policy. Beyond 56 hours, requirements under other University medical leave policies apply.
Employees may use safe and sick leave if they are victims of a family offense matter, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking or if a family member has been a victim of such crimes. Sick time can also be used for illness or preventative care of one’s self or one’s family members.
Beginning January 1, 2021, there is no longer a waiting period for use of accrued safe and sick leave time.
The University will front load 56 hours to all eligible employees in New York State (except casuals and Variable Hour Officers) as of January 1, 2021. Thereafter, the University will front load 56 hours to all eligible employees in New York State (except casuals and Variable Hours Officers) on July 1^st each year.
Casuals and Variable Hour Officers will accrue safe and sick leave at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per year.
While the new law went into effect and employees began to accrue newly-provided safe and sick leave on September 30^th, employees are not eligible to use any newly-provided safe and sick leave until January 1, 2021.