NYC workers will be entitled to paid time off to care for their sick PETS under city proposal
New Yorkers could soon be able to take paid sick leave to care for their pets.
Proponents believe this would improve the mental health of pet-owning residents by “making pet ownership easier.”
The bill, currently moving through the New York City Council, would amend the city’s current Earned Safe and Sick Time Act to allow pet owners to have a day off with their pets.
Currently, the law guarantees employees at companies with more than 100 employees 56 hours of paid leave per year for personal sick leave or to care for a family member. While smaller companies get 40 hours.
While some employees have voluntarily changed their policies in recent years, the only comparable law in the US can be found in a small town near San Francisco – however, this law only applies to service animals.
New Yorkers could soon be able to take paid sick leave to care for their pets. Proponents believe this would improve the mental health of pet-owning residents by ‘making pet ownership easier’ (stock image)
If the law were extended to all pets, in a city of more than 8 million people, it would be unprecedented.
Democratic Councilman Shaun Abreu, who represents parts of the Upper West Side and West Harlem, said NBC New York that the scope of covered pets was not specified, but limited only to “legal pets” and “companion animals.”
Councilor Abreu, who has two cats of his own, said: “There is no denying that we are facing a mental health crisis. And one of the best ways to tackle a mental health crisis is to make pet ownership easier.”
The local population was divided over the proposed law. One compared the law to parents taking time off to care for children, and another described it as a “stretch.”
Chelsea’s Mia Toledo said: ‘I think that’s fair. Depends on how sick. People take time off for children who are sick.’
Konrad Kuo of Montville, New Jersey, owns a 2-year-old Corgi, but he was less supportive of the law pointing out that “pets are not people.”
However, an HR consultant points out that for more and more people, their pets are part of the family.
Since the pandemic, New York has experienced overcrowding in its animal shelters due to the increased cost of owning a pet due to high vet bills and the cost of living crisis. (stock image)
A dog walker in Central Park in February 2022. Locals were divided over the proposed law, with one likening it to parents taking time off to care for children, and another describing it as a “stretch.”
Speaking of the bill NewsweekBryan Driscoll said, “For many workers, especially those living in high-stress environments like New York, pets are a primary source of emotional support and companionship.
“Allowing employees to use paid sick leave for pet care recognizes this reality and reinforces that employees have lives and responsibilities outside of work.”
He added that he believed there was about a 50/50 chance that the bill would pass, but if it were to become law, other cities and even states could follow suit.
Since the pandemic, New York has experienced overcrowding in its animal shelters due to the increased cost of owning a pet due to high vet bills and the cost of living crisis.
If the bill passes, pet owners could save money if a pet gets sick and prevent more animals from ending up in shelters — where many no longer receive new pets.