NYC’s paid sick leave law turns 10 with expanded worker protections

From sick days to domestic violence support, NYC’s landmark law has transformed over 10 years. See how enforcement and protections grew—and what’s next.

, and Administrator

2025 November 26 . 5:33 PM

1 min read

In front of the picture, we see a white car on which "Police" is written. Behind that, there are... — In front of the picture, we see a white car on which "Police" is written. Behind that, there are many cars moving on the road. On either side of the road, we see grass and trees. This picture is clicked outside the city.

NYC’s paid sick leave law turns 10 with expanded worker protections

New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) has marked its 10th anniversary this month. Originally called the Earned Sick Time Act, the law has undergone several key changes since its introduction in 2014.

The law began as the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) in 2014, focusing solely on paid sick leave. By 2018, it was renamed ESSTA after expanding to include 'safe time' for employees dealing with domestic violence or related legal matters.

In 2020, ESSTA was updated again to match New York’s statewide paid sick leave rules. A further amendment in late 2021 added paid leave for workers vaccinating their children against COVID-19. The most recent rule changes took place in October 2023.

Under ESSTA, employees earn one hour of paid sick or safe time for every 30 hours worked. Annual accrual caps depend on employer size, with limits set at 40 or 56 hours. Eligible reasons for leave now include mental or physical illness, family care, domestic violence support, and public health emergencies.

Enforcement has been active, with the NYC Department of Consumer and Workers Protection (DCWP) handling over 3,600 complaints since 2014. Nearly 2,900 investigations have closed, recovering almost $22 million in restitution for around 68,000 workers. In 2023 alone, the city processed nearly 300 complaints, launched over 250 investigations, and secured over $3.6 million in penalties and restitution.

ESSTA has evolved significantly over the past decade, broadening protections for workers. The law now covers a wider range of absences while maintaining strong enforcement. Its impact continues to grow as more employees access paid leave for health, safety, and family needs.