New York has some of the most robust leave laws in the US, including the nation-leading Paid Family Leave program, comprehensive paid sick leave, and extensive job protections.

Paid Sick Leave

Yes — New York State Paid Sick Leave Law (2020)

Paid Family Leave

Yes — New York Paid Family Leave (PFL)

Paid Sick Leave

Program New York State Paid Sick Leave Law (2020)

Accrual 1 hour per 30 hours worked.

Maximum Employers with 100+ employees: 56 hours. Employers 5–99 employees or $1M+ net income: 40 hours. Employers with 4 or fewer employees and under $1M net income: 40 hours unpaid.

Eligibility All employees, including part-time, seasonal, and domestic workers.

Use-It-or-Lose-It No — unused sick leave carries forward.

Sick leave can be used for the employee's or family member's mental or physical illness, preventive care, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or public health emergency closures.

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Program New York Paid Family Leave (PFL)

Duration Up to 12 weeks in a 52-week period.

Pay Rate 67% of employee's average weekly wage, up to 67% of the state average weekly wage.

Funding Employee-funded through payroll deductions. Employer does not pay benefits.

Eligibility Employees who have worked for a covered employer for 26 consecutive weeks (full-time) or 175 days (part-time).

PFL covers bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or qualifying exigency related to a family member's military deployment. PFL provides job protection and continued health insurance.

Unpaid Family & Medical Leave

Program Federal FMLA + New York State Family Leave

Duration Up to 12 weeks under FMLA. NY PFL runs concurrently with FMLA where applicable.

Eligibility FMLA: employers with 50+ employees, 12 months and 1,250 hours of service.

NY PFL provides broader coverage than FMLA in some respects, including broader definition of family members.

Jury Duty Leave

Program New York Judiciary Law Section 519

Paid? No — employers are not required to pay for jury duty leave, but cannot penalize employees.

Employers must allow employees to serve on a jury. Employers cannot penalize, threaten, or terminate employees for jury service. Employees receive jury fees from the court.

Voting Leave

Program New York Election Law Section 3-110

Paid? Yes — up to 2 hours of paid time off.

Employees who do not have sufficient time outside working hours to vote are entitled to up to 2 hours of paid time off.

School Activity Leave

Program Not statutorily required in New York.

Paid? Not required.

New York does not have a specific statutory school activity leave law. Employers may offer this voluntarily.

Domestic Violence Leave

Program New York Labor Law Section 196-b

Duration Reasonable time off for victims of domestic violence.

Eligibility All employees who are victims of domestic violence.

Paid? Employees may use accrued paid leave.

Leave can be used for medical care, legal proceedings, counseling, safety planning, or relocation.

Military Leave

Program New York Military Law Section 242

Employees who are members of the National Guard or reserves are entitled to military leave for active duty, training, or emergency service.

Other Leave

Blood Donation Leave

Employers with 20+ employees must allow up to 3 hours of paid leave per donation (up to 4 donations per year).

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited sources for current law before making employment decisions.

New York Leave Law Summary for Employers (2026)

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Unpaid Family & Medical Leave

Jury Duty Leave

Voting Leave

School Activity Leave

Domestic Violence Leave

Military Leave

Other Leave

Blood Donation Leave

Sources

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