“The National Partnership applauds the ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken that would expand access to emergency paid sick days and family leave. The U.S. Department of Labor’s restrictive new regulations (DOL) unfairly blocked many workers from taking time off work to care for themselves or a loved one without missing a paycheck. This ruling will remove some of the barriers to accessing paid leave and paid sick days, and will ensure that more workers who are employed by health care institutions can access this leave.

The Department of Labor’s regulations undermined the Congressional intent of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) by adding unnecessary restrictions to taking leave and by including an unreasonably broad definition of health care providers who are exempted from paid leave and paid sick day policies. Our nation’s essential workers who are on the frontline during this pandemic are least likely to have access to paid sick days and paid leave, yet they are critical to keeping our economy moving. While too many Americans still do not have access to paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave, this decision is a step in the right direction to protect our public health and ensure people can continue to put a roof over their heads and food on their table. We applaud New York State Attorney General Letitia James for fighting for workers and public health by bringing this suit. As Congress considers the next COVID-19 recovery package, we urge them to close the gaps in paid leave and paid sick days coverage by passing the HEROES Act.”