In This Issue:
  • New York State's Paid Sick Leave Now Accessible to Employees
  • New York State's Minimum Wage as of 12/31/20
  • Update on Federal Paid Sick Leave
  • ABC Sends Letter to SBA and Treasury Urging New PPP Guidance
  • January-March 2021 Toolbox Talks
  • Empire Chapter Resources
Reminder: New York State's Paid Sick Leave Now Accessible to Employees
Employees can now start to use the leave employers are required to provide them based on the New York State Paid Sick Leave Law that took effect on Sept. 30th.

On Sept. 30th, employers were required to begin providing sick leave to their employees that they could begin using on Jan 1, 2021. As of last Friday, employees can begin to use that sick leave.

We conducted a webinar on this new piece of legislation. To review it, please click the button below:
REMINDER: Sick Leave Requirements:
  • Employers with four or fewer employees and a net income of $1 million or less must provide up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time
  • Employers with four or fewer employees and a net income greater than $1 million must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time
  • Employers with five to 99 employees must provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time, regardless of the company’s net income
  • Employers with 100 or more workers must provide up to 56 hours of paid sick time


Questions? Please reach out to us anytime
New York State's Minimum Wage as of 12/31/20
As part of the 2016-17 State Budget, Governor Cuomo signed legislation enacting a statewide $15 minimum wage plan that will lift the earnings of more than 2.1 million New Yorkers, in all industries across the state. The Governor’s plan takes the needs of workers and businesses alike into account.

As of December 31, 2016, the first in a series of wage increases went into effect. Rates differ based on region and industry because the increases are calibrated to provide businesses ample time to adjust. Be sure you are up to date as of 12/31/20 and that your minimum wage poster is posted in plain view.
Update on Federal Paid Sick Leave
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced additional guidance to provide information to employers about protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

The FFCRA’s paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave requirements expired on Dec. 31, 2020. However, for employers will still receive the tax credit until March if they choose to continue to provide the leave to their workers.

The new guidance, in the form of Frequently Asked Questions on the WHD website, addresses whether workers who did not use their leave entitlement under the FFCRA in 2020 may use such leave after Dec. 31, 2020. It also explains how WHD will maintain its enforcement authority over employers’ leave responsibilities while the FFCRA’s paid leave requirements were in effect, even after these leave entitlements have expired.

Additionally, the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), 2021, extended employer tax credits for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave voluntarily provided to employees until March 31, 2021. However, the CAA did not extend employees’ entitlement to FFCRA leave beyond Dec. 31, 2020, meaning employers will no longer be legally required to provide such leave.

Please reach out with any questions.
ABC Sends Letter to SBA and Treasury Urging New PPP Guidance
As a reminder, ABC sent a letter to SBA and Treasury last week urging immediate action on new guidance for the additional $284 billion in PPP loans as authorized and funded by the COVID relief package. To date there has not been any additional guidance released from these federal agencies, which under the law, have 10 days to provide additional guidance on the program’s implementation.

We have heard that lenders are estimating an early-mid February timeline for new rules to be finalized and banks available to provide loans to businesses. ABC is continuing to monitor any developments on new guidance and will be sure to provide critical updates as necessary. 
ABC Empire Chapter Resources