Sick Time Policy Updates Effective Jan. 1, 2021
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, the University will expand its benefits to provide paid sick time to all employees in accordance with New York State Paid Sick Leave.
The new legislation increases the amount of paid sick time provided under the University’s prior policy for most non-exempt benefits-eligible staff. It also represents the first time paid sick time will be provided to non-benefits eligible employees, student workers, and graduate assistants.
Sick time generally covers time away from work for personal injury, illness, health or safety reasons, or to care for an eligible family member due to their injury, illness, health or safety reasons.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, non-exempt employees and students will accrue sick time at a rate of one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum accrual of 56 hours each calendar year unless otherwise negotiated under a collective bargaining agreement. A balance of sick time will be available as of Jan. 1 and will be the greater of either the unused time under the University’s prior sick time policy, or time accrued under the new sick time policy since Sept. 30, 2020. Sick time that remains unused at the end of the calendar year will be maintained as carryover to the next calendar year.
Exempt employees will continue to be provided with sick time in accordance with the law, with no change to the sick time currently available to exempt benefits-eligible staff.
View the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more and consult the Paid Sick Time policies for complete details including availability, usage, and carryover rules:
Questions concerning sick time should be directed to the employee’s supervisor, or to HR Shared Services at hrservice@syr.edu or 315.443.4042.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, the benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.