New York Paid Family Leave

Who is covered by the New York Family Leave Law?

All private employees are covered by the NY Family Leave act, but are required to have worked for their employer for at least 6 months. Paid leave benefits will be available on the first full day that leave is required for eligible employees (unlike New York State disability benefits where there is a waiting period before employees start receiving benefits).

To how much paid leave will an employee be eligible?

When the law becomes effective January 1, 2018, employees will be eligible for up to eight weeks of paid leave at a weekly benefit amount of 50 percent of the employee’s average weekly wage. When fully implemented in January 2021, the policy will cover 67 percent of an employee’s average wages up to 12 weeks.

What is the purpose of the paid leave?

• caring for a new child (for both men and women) within the first 12 months after the child's birth, or after the placement for adoption or foster care of child with the employee,
• caring for a family member (child, parent, grandchild, grandparent, spouse or domestic partner) with a serious health condition, or
• relieving family pressures when a family member, including a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent, is called to active military service.

How is the paid family funded?

The paid family leave will be funded by a weekly payroll tax of about $1 per employee, deducted from employees’ paychecks.