Philadelphia recently passed a new paid sick leave law:
Philadelphia Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, Bill No.: 141026 – (Effective May 13, 2015) This ordinance enacts a new Chapter of the Philadelphia Code, entitled “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces.” The Ordinance provides certain employees working within the City of Philadelphia for at least 40 hours in a year with a minimum of one hour of sick time for every 40 hours worked. Sick time shall begin to accrue on the effective date of the Ordinance. An employee who becomes employed after the effective date shall begin to accrue paid sick time at the commencement of his or her employment. An employee shall be entitled to use accrued sick time beginning on the 90th calendar day following commencement of their employment. A copy of the ordinance is attached for your information and reference.
View Philadelphia, PA Ordinance »
DOL has issued Final FMLA rules regarding same-sex spouses:
Under FMLA, ‘spouse’ as defined in the statute, means a husband or wife. For purposes of this definition, final regulations now have ‘husband or wife’ refer to the other person with whom an individual entered into marriage as defined or recognized under state law for purposes of marriage in the state in which the marriage was entered into OR if the marriage is valid in the place where entered into and could have been entered into in at least one state.
In short, the rule means that an eligible employee, regardless of where they live is able to:
Take FMLA to care of his/her same-sec spouse with a serious health condition; take qualifying exigency leave due to his/her same-sex spouses covered military services or take military caregiver leave for his/her same sex spouse.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at BMC.