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A recent proposal in New York could provide workers they paid time off to care for their pets. The measure, introduced Oct. 23 by Democratic Councilman Shaun Abreu, would expand the city’s existing space. Earned Safe and Sick Time Act to allow workers to use sick time for medical care related to pets, including preventive care and the diagnosis and treatment of an illness or injury.

Melissa Camire, a partner in the New York office of law firm Fisher Phillips, said the proposed measure is not as “extreme” as the headlines might make it out to be.

Under the city’s existing sick leave law, companies with more than 100 employees must provide workers with up to 56 hours of sick leave per year, while smaller workplaces must provide up to 40 hours per year.

“It’s not like they’re creating a new bank of extra days; it just gives employees an extra reason to use that sick leave,” Camire told HR Dive. “For employees who see their pets as members of their family, I think it makes perfect sense from their perspective.”

Camire said employees at many companies probably already can use personal free time to care for pets, even if not specifically regulated. But not everyone has PTO, and with the passage of the legislation, such use of sick time becomes protected, she explained.

The bill was referred to committee by the council and will take effect 120 days after it becomes law.

The proposal reflects a broader push for more flexible benefits, Carmine said. Some companies already offer workers “paternity” leave. to bond with a new pet or bereavement of a pet let them cry. And others have pet-friendly policies such as pet insurance or allow dogs in the office.

“New York tends to be a bit of a trendsetter when it comes to labor laws. Do I think this will be a tipping point where every state or city will consider doing something similar? No, Carmine said. “Will we eventually see other municipalities or cities that tend to be more at the forefront of these issues, like New York, join the trend? I think it’s more likely.”

Instead, the proposal “opens up a broader conversation about employee benefits and flexible workplaces” and the types of benefits and support employees are looking for, she said.

Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO and co-founder of Flexa, a global jobs platform that focuses on flexible workplaces, said that while legislation like the one proposed in New York City could be beneficial for some workers, “U.S. employees have other more pressing needs. when it comes to formal policies and legislation’, such as better paid parental leave and paid holidays.

“The needs of employees at scale can often be met simply by giving teams more autonomy. Staff should feel confident and empowered to adapt to work around caring for the occasional sick pet, for example. Not every aspect of working life needs to be regulated. Otherwise, we risk dismantling that trust and distracting attention from more pressing issues,” Johnson-Jones said in an emailed statement to HR Dive.