Jan. 1, 2018 marks start of Paid Family Leave
Beginning on January 1, 2018, employees in New York State will have the opportunity to take paid family leave if a major familial event takes place. The best part is, individuals who do request this time off don’t have to fear that they will lose their job. In 2018, employees can take up to eight weeks of paid leave. As time goes on, the benefits increase. So, in 2021, employees will be able to take up to 12 weeks of leave and still maintain 67 percent of their average weekly wages. Of course, not all family life events are eligible for taking paid family leave. New York’s Paid Family Leave Act exists to allow families that are impacted by:
- a new child (this includes birth, adoption, or the addition of a foster child)
- caring for a close relative who has a serious health condition (this can be for a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild that is in inpatient care, hospice, or needs continuing treatment)
- a family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) deploying for military service overseas
In order to financially support this leave program, individuals will contribute 0.126 percent of their weekly wage, capped at 0/126 percent of New York State’s average weekly wage of $1,305.92. If you decide that you wish to take Paid Family Leave, you must notify your employer as soon as possible and submit the necessary documentation. If you have questions, contact an attorney.
Robert Pollack is an experienced divorce and family law attorney in Long Island, New York. Contact The Pollack Law Firm, P.C., to set up a free initial consultation.
