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Important: Beginning Sunday, February 22, You Will Have Access to a New Job-Protected Unpaid Sick Time-Off Option.

February 20, 2026

Dear Home Health Aide Team Members,

Effective Sunday, February 22, all VNS Health team members will have access to a new job-protected unpaid time-off option under New York City’s amended Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA).

As a VNS Health team member, you will receive 32 hours of job-protected unpaid safe and sick time off annually. This benefit will be available beginning on Sunday, February 22 and can be used immediately.

This unpaid time-off may be used for:

  • Your personal illness, injury, or mental health concerns;
  • Your (or your loved one’s) medical appointments, including preventive care;
  • Caring for a sick family member or loved one;
  • Business, school or childcare closures by order of a public official for public health emergencies or public disasters;
  • Direction by a public official to remain indoors or to avoid travel during a public disaster, preventing you from reporting to your work location;
  • Absences related to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking impacting you or a loved one.

This new benefit is in addition to all existing forms of paid time off, which you may still use in accordance with those policies. 

If you would like to use your unpaid time off, please let us know by contacting your supervisor. You must indicate which time payment option you want use: “paid time off” OR “unpaid time off.” If you are using the “Request Time Off” form and you would like to use your unpaid time off, please indicate it on the form. Click here for the “Request Time Off” form.

You can find additional information about this new benefit in these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

If you have any more questions, please contact your supervisor.

Thank you for your continued dedication to your clients, their families, and to VNS Health.

VNS Health Personal Care Operations Team