In addition to San Francisco, employers with New York operations should begin thinking about their parental leave policies in light of a new law providing up to twelve weeks of partially paid family leave. The leave system will be financed by small paycheck deductions from employees; no employer contributions are required. Like the San Francisco ordinance, the New York state law will be phased in gradually. Beginning in 2018, workers will get up to eight weeks of leave per year and 50% of their average weekly wage (capped at 50% of the statewide average weekly wage). The benefit will eventually increase – in 2021, workers will receive up to twelve weeks of leave per year and 67% of the worker's average weekly wage (capped at 67% of the statewide average weekly wage). Workers will be eligible for benefits after six months of service with their employer. The law also provides job protections, entitling an employee who returns from leave to be restored to the same or a comparable position, and requires that employers maintain existing health benefits for employees while they are on leave.
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