Mayor Mamdani and DCWP Announce Major Expansion of Protected Time Off for 4.3 Million Workers

On February 20, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine announced an expansion of New York City’s Protected Time Off Law — formerly known as the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law. Effective February 22, employers are required to make an additional 32 hours of unpaid protected time off immediately available upon hire and again on the first day of each calendar year. It also expands the reasons employees may use protected time off, such as caring for a child, attending a benefits or housing hearing, or staying home during a public emergency.

DCWP has also sent out compliance warnings to 56,000 employers and will be implementing a new data-driven strategy to ensure workers can use the time the law guarantees.  

If your worker rights are violated, file a complaint with DCWP.