New York City Workers Could Soon Be Entitled To Paid Time Off To Care For Their Sick Pets



New Yorkers could soon be allowed to take paid sick leave to take care of their pets. Supporters believe this would improve the mental health of residents who own pets by making pet ownership easier. The bill, which is currently making its way through the New York City council, would amend the city’s current Earned Safe and Sick Time Act to let pet owners have a day off with their pets. Currently, the law guarantees workers at companies with more than 100 employees 56 hours of paid leave a year for personal sick time or to care for a family member, while smaller businesses get 40 hours. San Francisco has a similar policy, but their law only applies to service animals. If the law is extended to all pets in a city of over 8 million it would be without precedent. Locals are divided on the proposed law, with some comparing the law to parents taking time off to look after children and others describing it as a stretch.