New York State Paid Family Leave Program

Posted on by sarabelligoni

Every morning I jump into the subway from Queens to Manhattan in order to reach my office. I am pretty sure you have already heard about the New York City subway as a perfect representation of the diversity and dynamism of Newyorkers. However, what I want to tell you is something about what came up to my mind today: there is a huge number of men with their children. If you are from New York, I am sure you are thinking “So, what?” well, I want to tell you that where I come from it is something not to take for granted.

If you are reading from a different country then the United States, I am sure you can understand what I am talking about. In many societies and states all over the world, children used to spend more time with mothers than dads, gay or lesbian couples are not allowed to adopt children, and also the maternity leave is considered a prerogative, sometimes unpaid, for women. Here in the United States, and mostly in the New York State, a specific legislation allows both to mothers and dads, or in general both the parents, to access the parental leave.

However, in 2016 theGovernor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law for an even stronger and comprehensive Paid Family Leave policy. Starting from the 1st of January 2018, the New York State Paid Family Leave Program will allow Newyorkers to enjoy a paid leave to take care of a newborn. Not only, the Program will allow the same guarantees in case of a serious health condition of a loved or family member or in order to relieve family pressure when someone is serving the military. In practice, the Program will allow job-protected Newyorkers to access up to 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave before 2021, starting with up to 8 weeks in 2018.

It represents a great chance for the New York State to enhance the people’s equilibrium between work and family lives.

Sara Belligoni

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The New York State Paid Family Leave will allow Newyorkers job-protected to take up to 12 weeks by 2021 to take care of a newborn or in the case of a serious health condition of a loved family member. Moreover, the protection is extended also in case of necessity to relieve the family pressure when someone is serving the military.

Featured Image from https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-paid-family-leave