By Bill Parry
The city will expand paid leave to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and trafficking survivors after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a new law Monday which will allow nearly 3 million New Yorkers eligible for paid leave to attend to immediate safety needs without fear of penalty or loss of income. The bill was introduced by de Blasio and City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland (D-East Elmhurst) in October 2016.
“No New Yorker should ever have to decide between their safety and a paycheck,” de Blasio said. “This new law will make it easier for survivors to get the care they need without jeopardizing their livelihood.”
Across the United States, victims of intimate partner violence report an average of 7.2 days of work-related lost productivity per year, according to the New York City Violence Task Force.
“Today, we once again demonstrate that New York City is a safe place for survivors of domestic violence,” Ferreras-Copelend said. “ With the mayor’s signing of this important legislation, victims of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and human trafficking will be able to take the time needed to procure protection and services needed to move forward with their lives, without having to worry about losing their job or income.”
The law goes into effect 180 days after the signing and covers leave for such activities as filing a police report, attending a court appearance, moving into a safe house, meeting with a civil legal attorney, social workers and advocates and meetings at the district attorney’s office.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) is reminding constituents that working families will be able to begin taking paid time off from work to care for new babies or very ill loved ones with the upcoming implementation of Paid Family Leave he has long championed in the state Senate.
“Beginning in January, employees who are experiencing serious health issues in the families, welcoming an infant into their lives, or dealing with complications associated with military deployments will be better able to balance their needs on the home front with their responsibilities on the work front,” Addabbo said. “The paid family leave program will fully phase in by 2012, when eligible private employees will be able to take a full 12 weeks of job-protected family leave and receive two-thirds of their paychecks.”
In January the benefit will begin at eight weeks of leave and employees will receive 50 percent of their wages.
The program is being lauded as the most extensive paid family leave law in the nation.
“This will be a win-win situation for working families and individuals who need time off to attend to pressing family matters and for employers who will retain skilled workers following their leave,” Addabbo said.
For more information visit www.ny.gov/
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
