On February 22nd, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the guidelines for New York’s paid family leave program; it is considered to be “the most comprehensive paid family leave program in the nation” according to Wednesday’s official state press release. Many of you may be wondering, what does this exactly mean? The scenario that this regulation was created for is one in which an employee cannot care for a family member because he or she needs to work. Oftentimes, people simply cannot leave work because of the possibility of losing their job, and wind up not being able to care for a sick family member. With the implementation of this program, employees will have twelve weeks of paid leave to take care of a new child, a close relative with a serious health condition, or to lessen the pressure when a family member is called to service in the military.
The program will provide employees with wage replacement while they are not at work, as well as a reinstatement to their job at the conclusion of the leave, and the continuation of their health insurance. According to Governor Cuomo, this should ensure that “no one has to choose between losing a job and missing the birth of a child or being able to spend time with a loved one in their final days.” This program will commence the 1st of January, 2018, for those eligible. One is deemed eligible if he or she has worked for 26 weeks full-time (175 days part-time) and if the employee is a new parent, caring for a sick family member, or if a family member of the employee is called into military service. When the program is fully underway, employees will be able to receive 67 percent of their salary over the 12 weeks they are out of work.
New York’s Paid Family Leave Law will inevitably relieve a large quantity of the pressures an employee faces during his/her time on the job. Life is quite unpredictable, and sometimes work can get in the way of a serious family situation. This law will lift an enormous weight off of the shoulders of workers who simply cannot work due to one of life’s many unpredictable occurrences. The program will undoubtedly relieve a sizeable portion of stress from family situations and ensure that an employee can focus on family instead of worrying about missing work, not receiving pay, or losing their job.
This law will be great news to the employees of New York, as they can now feel much less stressed about the possibility of losing their job during the time of a serious family situation. Workers will greatly appreciate the opportunity to direct their focus on family and not have to worry about work. The unpredictable nature of life is one that is evident to every single person on the planet. Now the occurrence of a serious family situation can at least become a main priority for an employee, which will inevitably go over well with the workers of New York. This program is long overdue and it’s time for employees to feel more secure, especially during a time that work cannot be the main focus.

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