New York City could approve a new law that would allow employees to use their paid sick leave to take care of their pets.
Democratic Councilman Shaun Abreu introduced a bill that updates the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act. The original act allows employees to take off to take care of themselves or family members, but the change would see that start to apply to pets and service animals as well.
“Good public policy encourages good behaviors,” Abreu told Newsweek. “In this case, we have an opportunity to use our existing sick time law to encourage pet ownership, which offers cascading benefits for our health and mental health. Keeping our pets healthy keeps us healthy, which is the whole purpose of having a sick leave law to begin with.”
Abreu cited research that linked pet ownership with reduced cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates stress and metabolism, and lower levels have been linked to overall better mental health. There's also evidence that owning a dog increases physical activity and improves depression.
Sara Jaye/Getty Images for Petco Love
If passed, the law could increase the number of New Yorkers who adopt an animal and improve mental health. Nationally, two in three homes have pets, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Some companies have already implemented similar policies. Minneapolis-based marketing company Nina Hale allows employees to take time off when they adopt a new pet.
Currently, New York City requires employees at larger companies to get up to 56 hours of paid leave time for illness or injury for themselves and family. But the new rule would add animals to that group, as many Americans already see their pets as part of the family.
“Pets are family,” HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek. “For many workers, especially those living in high-stress environments like NYC, pets are a primary source of emotional support and companionship. Allowing employees to use paid sick leave for pet care acknowledges this reality and reinforces that workers have lives and responsibilities outside work.”
New York is also facing an animal shelter overcrowding problem since higher costs of living emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. With prices for veterinary care higher than ever, many shelters are at capacity and can no longer accept new animals.
“Much like child care, pet care can be expensive, as well, meaning time off to assist a sick pet could be a net savings to some,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. “At the same point, it's easy to see skepticism from some legislators, as such a policy could be abused. Such a bill would match the needs of a changing home space for many employees today, though.”
Still, Abreu remained confident that the bill would get the approval it needs to become law.
“Millions of New Yorkers have pets, so the impact could be quite wide,” Abreu said. “This City Council is full of pet lovers who care about mental health, so we are optimistic that it will earn the support it needs to pass.”
Driscoll said it's about a 50/50 chance of the bill getting passed, but if it does, it could set an important precedent for other cities and states to follow.
“If it doesn't pass, it'll be another example of how little regard we often have for the realities of working people's lives,” Driscoll said.
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and founder of michaelryanmoney.com, said that companies adopting greater workplace flexibility are also engaging in smart business.
“This proposed NYC pet care bill reflects a deeper truth I've learned over the years: trust your employees to manage their time, and they'll manage their work,” Ryan told Newsweek.
When employers trust their workers to handle their responsibilities on their own terms, it often leads to greater productivity, Ryan said.
“We need to acknowledge that work-life balance isn't one-size-fits-all,” he said. “For many, pets are family. When your dog needs emergency surgery, that's as stressful as any family emergency. Making people choose between their pet's health and their paycheck just leads to distracted, anxious employees.”
Still, Ryan said many business groups are likely concerned about the costs associated with such a bill. Despite this, the bill could pay for itself in improved retention rates and productivity.
“The most successful businesses adapt to changing social norms,” Ryan said. “Ten years ago, mental health days weren't widely accepted. Now they're standard. Pet care could follow a similar path. Smart employers are already ahead of this curve, offering flexible PTO policies that don't require employees to justify every absence.”
