November 03, 2017 Paid Holiday Benefits for Veterans
KEEPING YOU INFORMED…
With Veterans Day drawing near, we are writing to remind you of holiday pay benefits that public sector employers must make available to certain veterans.
Pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 63, all public sector employers must provide a leave of absence with pay for 24 hours if an employee scheduled to work on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) or Veterans Day (November 11) is a veteran who served:
1. on active duty in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard of the United States and was honorably discharged or separated from that service under honorable conditions.
2. on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the following periods of conflict and was honorably discharged or separated from that service under honorable conditions:
a. World War I;
b. World War II;
c. The Korean conflict, from June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955; or
d. The Vietnam conflict, from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975.
3. on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and received the Armed Forces expeditionary medal, Navy expeditionary medal or Marine Corps expeditionary medal for participating in operations in:
a. Lebanon, from June 1, 1983 to December 1, 1987;
b. Grenada, from October 23, 1983 to November 21, 1983; or
c. Panama, from December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990.
4. in the Armed Forces of a foreign country allied with the United States during any of the following periods of conflict and was honorably discharged or separated from that service under honorable conditions:
a. World War I;
b. World War II;
c. The Korean conflict, from June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955;
d. The Vietnam conflict, from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975; or
e. The Persian Gulf conflict, from August 2, 1990 to the end of that conflict.
In addition, employers must provide the same leave of absence to employees who assisted the United States in the war effort during World War II as civilians, as described in Public Officers Law Section 63.
If providing this paid leave on Veterans Day or Memorial Day would endanger public safety, then the employee is entitled to paid leave on an alternate day.
If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact Lauren Schnitzer or one of our other attorneys by calling 631-694-2300.
THIS MEMORANDUM IS MEANT TO ASSIST IN GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT LAW. IT IS NOT TO BE REGARDED AS LEGAL ADVICE. THOSE WITH PARTICULAR QUESTIONS SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL.
© Lamb & Barnosky, LLP 2017