New York Paid Family Leave Changes
What New York Employers Need to Know
Starting January 1, 2018, most employees working for private employers in New York will be eligible for paid family leave. This is leave for caring for a newborn child, taking care of a seriously ill family member, or taking leave related to the active duty military deployment of a family member. Find information provided by NY State here:
https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-paid-family-leave/paid-family-leave-information-employers.
NY employers’ responsibilities have changed. Beginning January 1, 2018, employers are required to update their employer disability policy to include coverage for NY Paid Family Leave. Your insurance provider should have provided you notice of this change and worked with you to secure your required additional coverage. However, if it has not, you are advised to reach out to your disability insurer before January 1, 2018.
On or before January 1, 2018, employers need to notify their employees that their employee withholdings are increasing, due to the state’s implementation of the NY Paid Family Leave Act. Employers should utilize the notice as provided by New York State entitle “Employee Notice of Paid Family Leave Payroll Deduction” available at https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-paid-family-leave/paid-family-leave-information-employers, Resources.
Employers need to ensure that they adequately increased employee withholdings pursuant to the Act. Employers should contact their payroll provider before January 1, 2018, to ensure that the payroll provider is withholding the accurate amounts.
On or before January 1, 2018, employers should update all employer policies and employee handbooks to reflect the New York Paid Family Leave Act. New York State has provided model language for such updates at https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-paid-family-leave/paid-family-leave-information-employers, Resources.
If you would like assistance from an attorney on this important update, contact Donaldson Legal Counseling PLLC at counsel@dlcesq.com or (301) 332-2354.