When New York City’s Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law was signed into law in 2014, it was meant to ensure that certain businesses allowed employees to use sick leave for themselves or their family members. The violations of the law are extremely detrimental to workers who may have routine doctor’s appointments, are responsible for taking care of sick family members or do not have access to proper child care — which can lead to absences of more than five days. The city must also adjust the law to make employers grant more paid sick leave.

The law, which requires businesses to offer at least five paid sick days a year, is being blatantly ignored by major corporations, forcing workers into an unacceptable dilemma between their work and livelihood.

In 2023, the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issued 105 paid sick leave violations, which resulted in $1.2 million in fines. Major violators included corporations like Starbucks, Amazon and more local businesses like Tribeca Pediatrics, according to data obtained by THE CITY.

The DCWP has addressed these violations largely through employee complaints. While the extent of the city’s enforcement efforts is a factor, the primary issue is that businesses are non-compliant. Ignoring this law goes beyond merely breaking law — it reflects a disregard for ethical practices and undermines the creation of a humane workplace.

In addition, the city should raise awareness about the law to encourage more people to come forward if they have been denied paid sick leave by their employers.

In recent years, union efforts have helped workers address issues of paid leave, but with companies like Amazon actively trying to undermine unions, the path to improve pay and working conditions is met with obstacles.

With stronger enforcement and amendments to the paid sick leave law, it could prove to be a vital lifeline for New Yorkers, pushing companies to create fairer and more humane workplaces.