A crowd of workers cheered last week at City Hall in Philadelphia when Mayor Nutter signed a bill mandating paid sick leave into law, and the City Council approved the legislation. Effective May of this year, the terms of the new legislation will require businesses with ten or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours of work.
The law is expected to benefit more than 200,000 workers in Philadelphia, many of whom are low-income workers, single parents, college students, or entry-level employees. Accrued sick time can be used for illness, to care for a family member, or to seek help for domestic violence or sexual assault.
Councilman William K. Greenlee, who sponsored the bill, has been pushing for mandatory sick time in Philadelphia since 2008. Similar laws exist in sixteen cities and three states in the United States. President Obama has requested that Congress consider federal legislation to mandate paid sick time nationwide. Employers who do not comply with the law could be required to pay fines, penalties, and restitution.
Philadelphia employment lawyers at Sidney L. Gold & Associates, P.C. represent workers and employers in all matters of employment law. Our attorneys are highly skilled litigators and negotiators. Call 215-569-1999, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable Philadelphia employment lawyer.
