New York Could Become the First U.S. City to Mandate Paid Time Off

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the man who boldly stood up for Amazon, is apparently trying to embrace some progressive policies in the New Year. A day after he announced that the city would provide healthcare for all residents, including undocumented immigrants, the mayor has introduced a plan to offer two weeks paid time off to workers.

It’s sad that in 2018 such a proposal is considered progressive, but if the City Council approves it, then New York City would “become the first and only American city to require paid vacation for workers,” ABC News reports. The proposed legislation, which exempts businesses with fewer than five employees, would impact at least 500,000 workers.

Here’s how it would work, per the Washington Post:

Companies would be required to grant at least two weeks off for full-time workers and paid time off for part-time workers. It would give employees the ability to gradually accrue paid time off amounting to 10 days over a year.

According to the the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 25 percent of private sector workers in America don’t get any paid time off. While some states and cities now offer mandatory paid sick leave, including New York, none offer mandatory paid vacation. This work-obsessed country is the only industrialized nation that doesn’t offer paid time off.

“More than 500,000 hard-working men and women should earn paid personal time when they contribute to the success of their companies,” de Blasio said in an email to the Washington Post. “Our city’s businesses will benefit from a more productive, healthier workforce. By putting workers first, New York City’s economy has never been stronger.”