Should Employees get 3 months of paid leave to grieve for loss of grandparent?

Are you aware that a bill, presently awaiting signature from Governor Cuomo, would force businesses in New York State to grant up to 2 months—which will eventually graduate to 3 months—of paid leave for any employee who suffers a death in the family, including that of a grandparent?

This goes far beyond the paid family leave law that was recently passed, which provides paid time off for maternity need or to care of a sick relative. Those situations are far different than dealing with the loss of an elderly grandparent.

While our deepest compassion must go out to anyone who experiences such a loss, there must also be some consideration given to our already struggling business owners, who are trying to keep continuity at their workplace.

While it is true that the payment for the employee comes from wage deductions of all the employees, the company is nevertheless impacted financially, due to the loss of service provided by that employee. Who pays for the temporary assistance to replace that absent worker, even if one assumes that a temp can actually fill his or her shoes? It is disturbing that this bill, regarding family loss, actually passed both houses of the legislature. Will the Governor sign or veto it? It all depends on what kind of feedback he gets from the public. We thought you’d like to know about this latest development.

Sincerely,

Steve Levy, Executive Director

Center for Cost Effective Governance