Capital Region Businesses & Non-profits to be Negatively Impacted 
by Proposed Mandatory Paid Sick Leave
     

Dear Valued Stakeholder,

The Albany County Legislature is currently considering a  proposal that would  mandate private sector employers (for profit and non-profit) to provide paid sick leave to their  part-time and  full-time employees . This proposal would cover those employees who perform work within Albany County for more than 80 hours in a calendar year.

The Chamber is strongly opposed to this proposal. This mandate would create an additional burden for businesses that operate in Albany County, even if they aren't physically located in Albany County. Most local employers already provide paid leave. It is critical for employers to speak out against Albany County dictating terms of employment for private sector, for-profit and non-profit businesses. 

Employee benefits, including paid sick leave, should be determined by the employer and not through government; mandates will force some businesses to hire fewer employees, reduce other benefits or cease operation. 

Given the costly impact this proposal could have on employers who choose to do business in Albany County, I encourage you to join with the Chamber in fighting against this additional paid sick leave mandate. There are three actions you can take:
  • Sign the Chamber's petition in opposition to this proposal (only your business name will be included on the petition provided to Albany County). 
  • Email Albany County Executive Dan McCoy and county legislators and tell them to oppose the paid sick leave proposal. It is important that Albany County hear from business owners and non-profit executives. 
  • Testify against the paid sick leave proposal at the Legislative Public Hearing:

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 | 7:15 p.m. 

William J. Conboy Legislative Chambers

Albany County Courthouse, 2nd Floor

16 Eagle Street, Albany, NY


Please email Tom O'Connor if we can count on you to attend the hearing. 


Together, we can make sure that the Albany County Executive and Legislature realize that enacting this proposal would take Albany County and the entire Capital Region in completely the wrong direction.


If you have any questions or would like to further assist us on this issue, please contact Tom O'Connor | 518.431.1413.

Sincerely, 

Mark N. Eagan, CCE
Chief Executive Officer

This proposal would:
  • Apply to private, for profit and nonprofit employers;
     
  • Require employers to provide employees one hour of paid leave for every thirty hours worked;
     
  • Require employers with ten or more employees to provide up to 72 hours of paid sick leave each year;
     
  • Require employers with fewer than ten employees, but more than five, to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave each year and establish an earned leave scale for employees with five or fewer employees;
     
  • Permit employees to carry over earned sick leave into the following calendar year; and
     
  • Establish penalties not to exceed $500 for an initial violation, $750 for a second violation and $1,000 for all subsequent violations.