New protections for some Philadelphia workers recently went into effect during the COVID-19 pandemic, including for health care employees and people who work for employers with 500 employees or more.

On September 9, 2020, Philadelphia’s sick leave law was amended so that certain health care employees are compensated in the event they contract a communicable disease during a pandemic or epidemic event, all under certain terms and conditions.

Philadelphia’s sick leave law was also amended so that employers with 500 or more employees are required to provide up to 112 hours of paid sick leave under certain circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic to Philadelphia employees who request it due to:

• Care for self or family member showing symptoms of COVID-19.
• Care for self or family member advised to self quarantine by a health care provider.
• Care for self or family during local quarantine.
• Childcare closure.

This is in effect through December 31, 2020. A note is not required in order to request public health emergency paid sick leave.