Westchester Safe Time Leave Has Arrived

By Arin M. Liebman & Susan M. Corcoran

Jackson Lewis P.C.

The Westchester County Safe Time Leave Law took effect on Oct. 30, 2019. Starting on Jan. 28, 2020, employers must begin providing eligible new hires with a copy of the law and written notice, which is intended to explain how the law applies to them. Employers have until Jan. 28, 2020 to provide a copy of the law and written notice to eligible current employees. The Safe Time Leave Law also requires that employers post a poster in English, Spanish and any other language deemed appropriate by Westchester County, in a conspicuous location. Employers can locate a copy of the law, a model Notice of Employee Rights, the postings and FAQs on Westchester County’s website.

The Safe Time Leave Law covers employees who work in Westchester County for more than 90 days in a calendar year with limited exceptions. Eligible employees have the right to use up to 40 hours of leave in a year to attend or testify in a criminal or civil court proceeding relating to domestic violence or human trafficking or to move to a safe location. Employers must provide safe time leave in addition to sick leave provided under the Westchester County Earned Sick Leave Law (WCESLL). Unlike the WCESLL, there is no accrual option.

For more information about Westchester’s Safe Time Leave Law, read Westchester County Adopts Safe Time Law.

***This article originally appeared on the Jackson Lewis’ Disability, Leave & Health Management blog and was reposted on the DMEC website with their permission.***