New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on April 4 enacting a statewide $15 minimum wage plan and a 12-week paid family leave policy. The state budget includes a historic increase in the minimum wage, ultimately reaching $15 an hour for all workers in all industries across the state.
- For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage would rise to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on Dec. 31, 2018.
- For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage would rise to $10.50 by the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $15 on Dec. 31, 2019.
- For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties, the minimum wage would increase to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $15 on Dec. 31, 2021.
- For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage would increase to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another 70 cents each year after until reaching $12.50 on Dec. 31, 2020, after which it will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.
When fully phased in, employees will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid family leave when caring for an infant, a family member with a serious health condition or to relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service. Benefits will be phased in beginning in 2018 at 50 percent of an employee’s average weekly wage, capped to 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, and fully implemented in 2021 at 67 percent of their average weekly wage, capped to 67 percent of the statewide average weekly wage.
This program will be funded through a nominal payroll deduction on employees. Employees are eligible to participate after having worked for their employer for six months.
