New York Enacts Vaccination Leave Requirement

New York now requires employers of all sizes to provide paid leave to employees who are getting vaccinated for COVID-19. The law took effect immediately and applies through December 31, 2022.

Employees are entitled to take up to four hours of paid leave each time they get a COVID shot. For now, this means up to four hours for the single-dose vaccine and up to eight hours total for a two-dose vaccine. If public health authorities recommend re-vaccination or a booster shot before the end of 2022, employees can take additional paid COVID vaccination leave.

COVID vaccination leave is in addition to any other leaves the employee may be entitled to, such as the state’s paid sick leave. COVID vaccination leave must be paid at the employee’s regular rate of pay. Employers are prohibited from retaliating or discriminating against employees for exercising their rights under the law.