On February 12, Mayor Michael Nutter signed a bill requiring Philadelphia employers with 10 or more employees to offer paid sick leave, joining neighbors New York City and Newark, New Jersey, as well as other states and localities, in enacting such a requirement.  The Philadelphia bill takes effect in mid-May, and requires that eligible employees accrue paid leave at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked, to a maximum of 40 hours of leave in a calendar year, unless the employer offers a more generous policy.

The continued proliferation of wage and benefits legislation at the state and municipal levels poses serious challenges for employers operating in multiple jurisdictions, who must seek to provide fair, equal benefits to workers while complying with applicable law.