Credit: Anthony Behar/Sipa USA
NY: Gov. Cuomo Holds Press Conference In NYC
NEW YORK (77WABC) – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that the New York State Department of Labor is issuing guidance reminding employers that any needed recovery from the COVID-19 vaccine is covered under the state’s Paid Sick Leave Law.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, among unvaccinated Americans, 48 percent say they are concerned they “might need to miss work if the side effects of the vaccine make them feel sick for a day or more.” This group includes 64 percent of unvaccinated Hispanic adults and over half of Black adults.
48% of unvaccinated Americans say they are concerned about missing work if they have side effects.
Reminder: All New Yorkers are entitled to a PAID sick day after getting vaccinated if they feel unwell.
It's the law—and employers must honor it.
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 27, 2021
“The vaccine is the key to defeating COVID for good and we are doing everything we can to remove any and all barriers to getting shots in arms,” Cuomo said. “Despite the side effects of vaccine being extremely limited, some studies have shown that there are individuals avoiding their shot out of fear of missing work the next day.”
“I want to be crystal clear–no New Yorker will miss a day’s pay because of getting the vaccine,” he added.
“The Department of Labor will be issuing guidance to all employers reminding them that in the unlikely event someone needs time off after experiencing side effects, by law, that is considered a paid sick leave day. We have COVID on the ropes and we cannot give up now. The vaccine is safe, effective and available and the sooner everyone takes it, the sooner we can put the pandemic behind us and move forward into a brighter future.”
Cuomo signed legislation on March 12 granting public and private employees time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccination, granting up to four hours of excused leave per injection that won’t be penalized against an employee.
