On September 14, 2016, Morristown became the 13th city in the state of New Jersey to pass a paid sick leave ordinance. The law was set to become effective “upon passage and publication,” however, an executive order by Mayor Timothy P. Dougherty extended the effective date. The law is scheduled to become effective January 11, 2017. Like the other New Jersey municipal paid sick leave laws, Morristown’s paid sick leave law was passed to provide employees with time off to attend their own health care and the health care of family members.
Employees working in Morristown for at least 80 hours a year will accrue a minimum of one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employers with 10 or more employees are not required to provide more than 40 hours of paid sick time in a calendar year. Employers with less than 10 employees are not required to provide more than 24 hours of paid sick time in a calendar year, except for child care workers, home health care workers and food service workers. Child care workers, home health care workers and food service workers must be provided up to 40 hours of paid sick time in a calendar year.
Employees will begin to accrue paid sick time on the first day of employment or as soon as practicable if already employed. The accrued paid sick time can be use starting on the 90th calendar day of their employment. Employers must display a poster and provide a written notice to their employees about their rights under the law. The poster must be in English and in any language that is the first language of at least 10% of the employer’s workforce. The Department of Administration will be releasing the official notice in English and any other languages that they consider important. Make sure to check back at Compliance Poster Company website for more information regarding the mandatory notice.