Effective March 9, 2022 Philadelphia has enacted a new law that requires employers to provide paid time off for COVID-19 purposes. This applies to employers with at least 25employees. Employees who work 40 or more hours weekly must be given 40hours leave.
The ordinance covers employees who work in Philadelphia, normally work in Philadelphia but currently telework from any other location as a result of COVID-19; or work from multiple locations or from mobile locations, provided that 51% or more of their time is in Philadelphia.
There is no waiting period or accrual requirement for leave.
Leave must be allowed for specified COVID-19 reasons relating to an employee’s (or their family members’) exposure to, symptoms of or diagnosis with COVID-19. Leave must also be permitted to get vaccinated for COVID and recover from the vaccination for employees, and care for a child whose school or child care is unavailable due to COVID-19 precautions.
Employees who don’t work 40 hours or more weekly receive an amount equal to their average scheduled or actual work hours over a seven-day period (whichever is greater). Employer policies that provide 120 hours of paid time off that can be used for the COVID-19 reasons allowed by the COVID-19 leave law or an equal amount of additional paid time specifically for COVID-19, or, will satisfy the requirement. There are special rules that apply for teleworking employees.
Employers must provide notice of the law15 days after its enactment.