Pittsburgh Expands COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave | Jackson Lewis P.C.

Pittsburgh has joined other American cities in enacting new laws to combat the surge in COVID-19 cases from a sick leave perspective.

On July 29, 2021, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto signed a new ordinance granting certain employees who work in the city COVID-19 sick leave (the “July 29th Ordinance”). While the July 29th Ordinance is technically “new”, it is closely related to (and practically reflects) Pittsburgh’s Temporary COVID-19 Paid Emergency Act (the “December 20th Ordinance”) of December 9th, 2020 .

Much like the Dec. 20 ordinance, the new legislation supplements the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act (PSDA) and changes the PSDA by explicitly allowing employees to call in sick under the PSDA before it arises if the reason for the Use resulting directly from COVID-19. Like previous legislation, the new ordinance requires employers in Pittsburgh with more than 50 employees to give their employees up to 80 hours of paid COVID-19 sick leave for COVID-19-related reasons. The July 29 ordinance also requires employers to grant paid COVID-19 sick leave in addition to other forms of paid leave, as long as the employee notifies the employer as soon as possible of the need for a COVID-19 sick leave.

The new regulation also contributes to how COVID-19 sick time can be used. In addition to the reasons listed in the ordinance of December 20, employees can use the COVID-19 sick leave period:

1. To get a vaccine or booster shot for yourself or a family member;
2. If they are unable to work or telework due to COVID-19 or one of its variants; and
3. Self-isolating and caring for yourself or a family member in accordance with Allegheny Health Department guidelines for the employee or their family member showing symptoms of COVID-19 or one of its variants.

It is important that the new ordinance does not contain any statement as to whether sick notes that were previously taken according to the ordinance of December 20 will be used for vacation under the new legislation. Further guidance on this subject is expected.

The July 29 ordinance came into effect immediately after Mayor Peduto signed it and will remain in force for one year (until July 29, 2022). However, unlike the Dec. 20 ordinance, employees are not allowed to use the COVID-19 sick leave period for an additional week after the official end of the public health emergency (if any).

Jackson Lewis will continue to pursue COVID-19-related laws and regulations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.