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Great news for Pittsburgh workers! Pittsburgh’s City Council unanimously passed the COVID-19 Emergency Sick Leave temporary ordinance on December 8, 2020. It was signed into law by Mayor Peduto on December 9, 2020, and takes effect immediately. According to Pittsburgh’s press release, the ordinance was passed in response to Congress’ failed attempts to renew federal protections enacted under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Mayor Peduto stated “Due to failed federal action, workers should not have to choose between their family’s health during a worldwide pandemic and their ability to pay their bills. In Pittsburgh we’re used to stepping up when Washington fails, and will do so again to protect our people from COVID-19,” Mayor Peduto said. At McElroy Law Firm, we couldn’t agree more.
Under the new Pittsburgh COVID-19 Emergency Sick Leave ordinance, if you work in the City of Pittsburgh for an employer with 50 or more total employees you are eligible for COVID-19 paid sick leave in the below circumstances:
If a healthcare provider, public health authority (for example a contract tracer), or employer determines you would be a health risk to others due to exposure to COVID-19 or because you have COVID-19 symptoms.
If you must care for a family member who has COVID-19 symptoms or is a health risk due to exposure to COVID-19.
If you need to quarantine due to being diagnosed with COVID-19, are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or need to seek diagnosis or other care for COVID-19.
If you must care for a family member who needs to quarantine or otherwise seek treatment under #3.
Additionally, “[e]mployees who work forty (40) or more hours per week are allowed eighty (80) hours of Emergency Paid Sick Time. Employees who work less than forty hours per week shall be allowed an amount equal to the average hours worked by that employee in a 14-day period,” according to the Pittsburgh Fact Sheet on the COVID-19 Emergency Sick Leave Ordinance. You can request COVID-19 paid sick leave if you have been employed with your employer for at least 90 days. If you feel that you have been wrongly denied COVID-19 paid sick leave please contact McElroy Law Firm right away for a free consultation. You can click here to read more about the Pittsburgh COVID-19 Emergency Sick Leave Ordinance.