New York Says Vaccinated Workers Can Use Sick Leave if Needed

Coronavirus

New York Says Vaccinated Workers Can Use Sick Leave if Needed

May 28, 2021

Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at an event to announce five new walk-in pop-up COVID-19 vaccination sites for New York Bodega, grocery store and supermarket workers in the Harlem section of New York on Friday, April 23, 2021. (Mike Segar/Pool Photo via AP)

ALBANY, New York — Employers aren’t allowed to refuse paid sick days if people feel ill after getting a dose of the vaccine, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said..

Cuomo said the state’s labor department will issue guidance that makes it clear that employees can take a paid sick day to recover from rare but potential side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Federal health officials say the vaccine is safe and that side effects aren’t unusual. Some people have reported fever, chills, nausea, a sore arm, fatigue or headache after receiving a dose.

“I want to be crystal clear — no New Yorker will miss a day’s pay because of getting the vaccine,” Cuomo said Thursday.

New York has a paid sick leave law on the books, and another state law allows employees to use up to four hours of excused leave per COVID-19 vaccine dose. That time can’t be charged against any other leave the employee has earned or accrued.

About 46% of New York’s 20 million residents are fully vaccinated, according to federal data. That’s above the national average of 40%.

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