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Overview of Employment Leave Laws

Employers may provide their employees with various types of paid or unpaid leave as part of their overall compensation package, including vacation time, personal leave and sick leave. Employers have some flexibility when it comes to establishing or negotiating employee leave policies. However, federal laws (for example, the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA) require covered employers to provide employees with leave in certain situations.

In addition to federal leave laws, New York has laws regarding:
  • Family leave;
  • Paid sick leave;
  • Civic duty leave;
  • Voting leave;
  • Military and military spouse leave;
  • Bone marrow and blood donation leave;
  • Adoptive parents leave;
  • Bereavement leave;
  • Domestic violence leave; and
  • Emergency responder leave.
Read this Employment Law Summary for a chart that provides a high-level overview of New York’s employee leave laws and suggested compliance steps for employers. For more information contact HANYS Benefit Services by email or by calling (800) 388-1963.

This Compliance Bulletin is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. ©2021 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

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