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Cuomo signs legislation prohibiting public employers from penalizing employees for absences related to COVID-19

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Thu, Jul 1st 2021 08:45 pm

New law protects public employees from being dismissed and other adverse disciplinary actions for using sick leave or compensatory time; builds on COVID-related employee protections signed into law

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday signed legislation (S.4201-A/A.4063) prohibiting public employers from penalizing employees who use sick leave or compensatory time to quarantine, seek medical treatment, or for other absences related to a COVID-19 diagnosis or contact.

"From the beginning of this national public health crisis, we have done everything possible to protect those New Yorkers who needed to make sacrifices in order to cope with the hardships of COVID," Cuomo said. "No one should have to suffer a penalty for missing work because of COVID, and under this new law, every public employee in our state will get the protection they deserve – so they don't have to face unfair consequences for doing what was necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones."

This new measure builds on COVID-19-related employee protections signed into law by Cuomo, including guaranteed paid leave for New Yorkers under mandatory or precautionary quarantine due to COVID-19, and guaranteed time off from work to receive the vaccine.

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