New York paid sick leave
In effect since September 30, 2020
1 hour for every 30 hours worked (or front-loaded)
All private employers (tiered by size) must let employees accrue and use up to 56 hours of paid sick leave a year. 4 or fewer employees with net income of $1 million or less: 40 hours unpaid.
| Accrual | 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (or front-loaded) |
|---|---|
| Annual cap | 56 hours 100+ employees: 56 paid hours. 5-99 employees: 40 paid hours. 0-4 employees: 40 hours, paid if net income is over $1 million, unpaid otherwise. Plus 20 hours of paid prenatal leave since January 1, 2025. |
| Who must provide it | All private employers (tiered by size) |
| Carryover | Unused leave carries over. The employer may limit use to 40 hours (under 100 employees) or 56 hours (100+) a year. |
| Front-loading | Allowed |
| Payout when employment ends | Not required |
| Covered uses | Mental or physical illness, injury or health condition, diagnosis or preventive care for the employee or a family member; safe leave for domestic violence, family offense, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking. Separate 20 hours for prenatal care. |
Local sick leave laws in New York
These places have their own ordinance. Employers there follow whichever rule is more generous.
- New York City: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, plus 32 hours of unpaid protected time off available immediately each year, up to 56 hours
Details and exceptions
- Accrual began September 30, 2020, and use began January 1, 2021.
- 20 hours of paid prenatal personal leave became required January 1, 2025 (Labor Law § 196-b(4-a)).
- NYC has its own law. Westchester County's Earned Sick Leave Law has been superseded by the state law since September 30, 2020, though the county Safe Time Leave Law still applies (humanrights.westchestercountyny.gov).
Running payroll in New York?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 8, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- New York State Department of Labor · data as of October 8, 2026 · last checked October 8, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.