The New York State Legislature recently passed the state budget for the fiscal year of 2025, which includes extended benefits for pregnant employees. The budget expands access to paid leave, granting up to 20 hours of leave per year for pregnant employees to use for prenatal medical care. This is in addition to the state’s existing 12-week paid family leave policy and its state-mandated sick leave. The Legislature has thus created a fresh layer of protected leave to be given to eligible employees.

This adjustment is a result of an amendment to the New York Labor Law Section 196-b, governing sick leave. The amendment will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2025, and will allocate employees an additional 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal care. This allowance is entirely separate from the already existing sick and paid family leave in New York. The wording of the amendment does not specify whether expecting employees who themselves are not pregnant but have a pregnant partner will also be eligible for this leave. An employee may take their prenatal care leave in increments of hours and must be paid by the hour. The statute remains silent on how salaried employees should be compensated.

Employers are not obligated to compensate an employee for unused paid prenatal leave upon termination, resignation, retirement, or separation. The amendment also prohibits any form of discrimination or retaliation from an employer against an employee who uses or requests prenatal leave. To prepare for the impending requirements, employers are advised to review and update their handbooks and policies. It’s also crucial that their managers and payroll team are informed about this new law to ensure that employee requests to use protected leave associated with prenatal care are lawfully granted and paid correctly.

For those in need of contacting Paid Family Leave (PFL) in the State of New York, or if you have further inquiries about how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave, you can visit eddcaller.com. This website offers a reliable avenue to seek clarification and guidance on PFL related concerns or inquiries. It ensures a seamless and effective communication line between you and the PFL. From information about acquiring live persons to guide you, to providing phone numbers and an extensive amassment of resources, it guarantees improved access and customer service on matters relating to PFL.