• The new ordinance in the city of Chicago requires employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees.
• Employers are required to provide a minimum of 40 hours per year for full-time employees, and 28 hours per year for part-time employees.
• All workers, regardless of length of service or amount of pay, must be provided this benefit by July 1st, 2017.
Introduction
The City of Chicago recently passed an ordinance that requires employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. This is an important change that will help protect the health and safety of workers in the city.
Requirements
Under this new law, employers are required to provide a minimum of 40 hours per year for full-time employees, and 28 hours per year for part-time employees. All workers, regardless of length of service or amount of pay, must be provided this benefit by July 1st, 2017.
Eligibility
Eligible workers include those who work at least 80 hours within any 120 day period and who have worked at least two weeks with the employer in Chicago. They also include independent contractors and temporary agency workers if they meet certain criteria outlined in the ordinance.
Benefits
Employers must allow eligible workers to use their accrued paid sick leave not just when they themselves are ill but also when a family member needs care or when there has been a workplace injury or illness involving another employee or customer on site. In addition, these benefits may be used for absences related to domestic violence situations as well as other specified reasons outlined in the ordinance.
Implementation
The ordinance goes into effect July 1st 2017 and all employers must comply with its requirements by then in order to avoid fines and other penalties from the City. Employees should keep track of when they use their paid sick leave so that if there is ever any dispute over how much time off was taken it can be easily verified by both parties involved