Paid Safe and Sick Leave Information for Domestic Workers and Their Employers

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Paid Safe and Sick Leave Information for Domestic Workers and Their Employers

*Important Updates Due to COVID-19*

  • If you, your child, or a close family member test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for paid leave under New York State labor laws. Contact the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) to learn more.
  • You may be eligible for a separate bank of paid leave to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster shots, under New York State labor laws. Contact NYS DOL to learn more.

These rights under New York State law are in addition to your rights under NYC’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law. If you are eligible for leave under State law, consider using NYS leave before using your accrued sick leave under City law. Note: Your employer cannot require you to use your accrued NYC sick leave first. Employers cannot mistreat or punish workers for using or asking for sick leave. If you have questions about NYC’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, contact the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Call 311 and say “Paid Safe and Sick Leave” or e-mail OLPS@dcwp.nyc.gov

Notice of Employee Rights

If you work part time or full time at any size business or nonprofit in NYC or if you work in an NYC household as a domestic worker, you have the right to safe and sick leave to care for yourself or anyone you consider family. You have this right regardless of your immigration status.

If you are a covered employee, your employer must give you written Notice of your right to safe and sick leave. You have a right to the Notice in English and in your primary language if a translation is available on the DCWP website nyc.gov/workers. Keep a copy of the Notice you are given. Visit Paid Safe and Sick Leave: Notice of Employee Rights webpage.

Complaints and FAQs

NEW! The Domestic Worker Mediation Program is a respectful, confidential, free way to resolve workplace issues without going to court. 

Domestic workers can submit a safe and sick leave complaint by email or mail.

Read Paid Safe and Sick Leave FAQs.

Employment Agencies

Employment agencies that refer job applicants to a position as a domestic or household employee must give each applicant DCWP's Domestic or Household Employees: Statement of Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities.

Agencies must also use DCWP's Job Description Form - Statement of Job Conditions and give the completed form to each job applicant it refers to a position as a domestic or household employee.

Employers: Do you have questions?

Businesses can contact DCWP in the following ways:

Employers should be prepared to provide information about their business so that DCWP can provide general guidance about whether the law applies to their business.