Articles Posted in Employee Benefits

 

 

On the heels of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act signed into law yesterday, New York State has enacted broad legislation extending paid sick leave benefits to employees.  The extent of paid sick leave is determined by employer size and revenue, and can be utilized by employees whether they are sick, or absent from work because of a “mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation” issued by “the state of New York, the department of health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19.”  All of New York City is currently subject to such an order.

Under the legislation:

  • Employees of small employers (1-10 employees) with annual revenue under $1 million receive unpaid sick days and job protection, and qualify for state-funded paid family leave and disability benefits.

The New York City Council has proposed a law that would provide paid sick days to all private sector workers.
According to the Department of Justice Office of Domestic Social Development, as of February 2009, 76% of low wage workers and 48% of full-time private sector workers are not paid for sick days.

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 results in, among other things, substantial amendments to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”). Among other things, the ARRA provides that “assistance eligible individuals” (“AEI”) are only required to pay 35% of the health insurance premium charged under a plan. Employers are responsible for paying the remaining 65%. However, the employer ultimately receives reimbursement from the government in the form of a credit against income tax withholding amounts and FICA taxes.

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