Overriding a veto by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the New York City Council has passed a new paid sick leave requirement for businesses with more than 15 employees.

More than 1 million New York City workers are expected to gain access to paid sick leave under the law, joining workers in Portland, Ore., Seattle, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The state of Connecticut also requires paid sick days. 

Under the New York City measure, which is set to take effect in 2014, employees will earn five paid sick days each year. Initially, the law will apply to companies with 20 or more employees, and after a year and a half, it will apply to businesses with 15 or more workers. Smaller businesses will be required to offer employees five unpaid sick days.