COVID Response: Paid Time Off For Vaccinations

The state legislature recently adopted a bill that will give employees four hours of paid leave to get a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill still awaits delivery to Gov. Cuomo’s desk for his review and signature.

The new labor law provision would stay in effect until the end of 2022. The bill’s sponsors say the measure would ensure workers, especially frontline workers, receive the vaccine quickly and help decrease the risk of spreading the virus.

Employers can use paid time off benefit to encourage employees to get a vaccine instead of directly requiring them to get vaccinated. This measure is also a good reminder that dealers should make sure they are up to date on their COVID-19 safety plans and adhere to safety rules in their dealerships. Indeed, COVID-19 remains a real threat, so dealers should not dial back any of their safety precautions for the foreseeable future.