Effective August 1, 2025, the New York State COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law will expire, ending a pandemic-era benefit that has been in place since March 2020. This update is critical for employers navigating paid leave policies in New York.

Overview: What Was the NYS COVID Paid Sick Leave Law?

The COVID-19 paid sick leave law required employers to provide up to 14 days of job-protected paid leave to employees under a mandatory or precautionary quarantine or isolation order due to COVID-19. The number of paid days varied depending on the size of the employer.

This law was enacted to ensure that employees exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 could recover or isolate without fear of losing income or their job.

What Changes August 1, 2025?

With the expiration of the COVID-specific sick leave law, New York State employers should now apply standard leave laws and policies to employees who test positive for COVID-19 or need time off to care for a sick family member.

• Use of Accrued Paid Sick Leave or PTO: Employees who are ill are generally entitled to use accrued sick leave under the New York State Sick Leave Law, and they may be entitled to employer-provided paid time off (PTO) if eligible under the employer’s PTO policy.
• Disability Accommodations: If an employee’s illness qualifies as a disability under the NYS Human Rights Law or ADA, they may be entitled to reasonable accommodations, including an unpaid temporary leave of absence.
• FMLA Protections: If an employee’s medical condition meets the definition of a serious health condition they may be entitled to unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) if the employer and employee meet certain eligibility requirements. 
• Caregiver Leave: Employees caring for a family member with COVID-19 may be entitled to use accrued paid New York State sick leave, PTO or unpaid FMLA leave. 

Action Steps for Employers in New York

• Update your employee handbook and leave policies to remove references to COVID-19 paid sick leave.
• Remove any posted signs referencing COVID-19 paid sick leave. 

Why This Matters

Failing to update your leave policies and handbook could lead to confusion or legal risk. 

Stacey E. Trien can be reached at stien@adamsleclair.law