New York City lawmakers are proposing a bill to let workers take time off to care for their sick pets just like they would of a family member fell sick.
The proposal, sponsored by city council member Shaun Abreu, would amend and expand the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (which requires companies to give employees paid sick leave to care for themselves or family members ) to include pets and service animals.
Abreu said mental health is a reason to incentivize pet ownership with the amended bill, citing research that owning pets can reduce cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and force people into physical activity and out of social isolation.
“I think that one of the simplest ways to support mental health is by encouraging pet ownership,” Mr. Abreu told the New York Times
“Keeping our pets healthy keeps us healthy,” he said.
However, the proposed bill named Introduction 1089 has received backlash from some who say workers may take advantage of costly company benefits, and that some employers may not be so gracious about granting a pet’s day off.
“These benefits cost money, and it’s one thing if the employee is sick and can’t come to work; it’s another thing if it’s a discretionary activity,” Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York told the outlet.
“The concern is that ultimately it creates a pattern of raising the cost of living and doing business in New York,” Wylde added.
The law could be one of the first of its kind in a major metropolitan area.
Currently, New York City law gives workers at companies with 100 or more employees up to 56 hours of paid leave per year to care for themselves or family members, while those who work at smaller businesses may only get 40 hours per year.
Amending the law would allow time off to care for service animals and animals kept legally for companionship. However, the species of animal it would extend to has not yet been specified.
The legislation was referred to the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection this week and if passed, the proposal will become law 120 days later.