New York City Expands ESSTA
On February 22, 2026, the amended New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) went into effect. Amendments to the related, but separate, New York City Temporary Schedule Changes Law (TSCL) also went into effect on February 22.
Highlights of the amendments include: (a) a new 32-hour unpaid safe and sick time requirement that is in addition to employers’ existing paid safe and sick time and paid prenatal leave obligations; and (b) expanded protected reasons for use of both paid and unpaid safe and sick time.
New York City also rolled out amended ESSTA FAQs, a revised ESSTA website, a new report focused on the City’s ESSTA compliance efforts, and an updated Notice of Employee Rights. Employers must distribute the updated Notice of Employee Rights to existing employees within 30 days of the amended ordinance’s effective date, by Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The updated Notice must also be provided to new hires.
