NEW YORK—Two million people in New York City must take time off work to care for family members. To make sure that they do not unfairly suffer retaliation from their employers, New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum has introduced the Caregiver Bill.
Intro 565-A has gained wide support in the City Council, where 33 council members have already signed on. Gotbaum joined City Council members and members of the community to show support for the bill in front of City Hall on Wednesday.
“This is the kind of legislation we have needed for a long time in this city,” said Council Member Bill DeBlasio, adding that the City should “celebrate and support” people who are taking care of a loved one.
Current law prohibits discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital and partnership status, and status as a victim of domestic violence. The Caregiver Bill would add one’s status as a caregiver to a child, parent, or relative to that list.
Though laws preventing discrimination against those with family responsibilities are in place, the laws do not cover all bases. The Family and Medical Leave Act only applies to workplaces with more than 50 employees and to workers who have been with the company for more than a year. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects mothers up to the moment they give birth. If passed, the Caregiver Bill would take effect under New York City Human Rights Law, making New York City the next to pass such legislation, after Alaska, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C.
Gotbaum said that with a growing elderly population and shrinking government budgets for senior care, the bill helps to make sure elders are being cared for with no repercussions for the caregiver. The City is home to 3.3 million individuals over the age of 65—a demographic expected to grow as baby boomers retire.
New York native John Dallas, who has cared for his diabetic mother for 10 years, contacted the Public Advocate with his problems with employers. He once left work early to relieve his mother’s attendant when his employer suggested that he look into finding a nursing home. “That’s wrong,” Dallas said in a statement. “When parents leave work to care for their children, should we suggest that they put their children up for adoption?”
Dallas said taking care of the elderly is under-appreciated in this country. “It’s an old value appreciated in other countries. This is going back to true family values.”
The bill has backing from a variety of groups advocating for labor, seniors, children, and women, who make up approximately 60 percent of the nation’s family caregivers, according to AARP.
Council Member Gale Brewer, who chairs the General Welfare Committee, said that the bill would also be good for companies’ bottom lines. “To attract more workers, you make it a family-friendly workplace,” Brewer said. Workers are more willing to stay with an employer if they feel their needs are taken care of, she said. Brewer is also working on a bill for paid sick leave.
Intro 565-A has gained wide support in the City Council, where 33 council members have already signed on. Gotbaum joined City Council members and members of the community to show support for the bill in front of City Hall on Wednesday.
“This is the kind of legislation we have needed for a long time in this city,” said Council Member Bill DeBlasio, adding that the City should “celebrate and support” people who are taking care of a loved one.
Current law prohibits discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital and partnership status, and status as a victim of domestic violence. The Caregiver Bill would add one’s status as a caregiver to a child, parent, or relative to that list.
Though laws preventing discrimination against those with family responsibilities are in place, the laws do not cover all bases. The Family and Medical Leave Act only applies to workplaces with more than 50 employees and to workers who have been with the company for more than a year. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects mothers up to the moment they give birth. If passed, the Caregiver Bill would take effect under New York City Human Rights Law, making New York City the next to pass such legislation, after Alaska, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C.
Gotbaum said that with a growing elderly population and shrinking government budgets for senior care, the bill helps to make sure elders are being cared for with no repercussions for the caregiver. The City is home to 3.3 million individuals over the age of 65—a demographic expected to grow as baby boomers retire.
New York native John Dallas, who has cared for his diabetic mother for 10 years, contacted the Public Advocate with his problems with employers. He once left work early to relieve his mother’s attendant when his employer suggested that he look into finding a nursing home. “That’s wrong,” Dallas said in a statement. “When parents leave work to care for their children, should we suggest that they put their children up for adoption?”
Dallas said taking care of the elderly is under-appreciated in this country. “It’s an old value appreciated in other countries. This is going back to true family values.”
The bill has backing from a variety of groups advocating for labor, seniors, children, and women, who make up approximately 60 percent of the nation’s family caregivers, according to AARP.
Council Member Gale Brewer, who chairs the General Welfare Committee, said that the bill would also be good for companies’ bottom lines. “To attract more workers, you make it a family-friendly workplace,” Brewer said. Workers are more willing to stay with an employer if they feel their needs are taken care of, she said. Brewer is also working on a bill for paid sick leave.
