Early Effects of the New York City Paid Sick Leave Law

Matthew Maury , Columbia University
Christopher T. Wimer, Columbia University
Jane Waldfogel, Columbia University

Using survey data from two pooled samples the first collected (n=708) between 2013 and 2015 and the second (n=1,170) between 2015 and 2017 both of which are representative of New York City we examine the percentage of workers taking paid sick leave, unpaid sick leave, and not taking any sick leave before and after implementation of the law. Since the law went into effect, more working New Yorkers report taking at least some paid sick leave (an increase from 25% to 36%), fewer report taking unpaid sick leave (a reduction from 21% to 16%), and fewer report not taking any sick days (a reduction from 54% to 48%). These differences (pre- and post-law) are statistically significant. Since the law passed there has been an increase in the percent of New Yorkers being paid for at least some of their sick leave and a decrease in not taking any sick leave.

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 Presented in Session 9. Marriage, Family, Households, & Unions; Gender, Race, & Ethnicity