Denied Leave from Work
New York workers have access to multiple overlapping leave protections at the federal, state, and city level. If your employer denied your leave or punished you for taking it, that's illegal.
File Your ClaimYour Leave Protections
Federal FMLA
Benefit
12 weeks unpaid, job-protected leave
Eligibility
50+ employees, 12 months employed, 1,250 hours worked
Qualifying Uses
Birth/adoption, serious health condition, family care, military leave
NYS Paid Family Leave (2026)
Benefit
12 weeks at 67% of average weekly wage, capped at $1,228.53/week
Eligibility
Nearly all private-sector employees; 26 weeks full-time or 175 days part-time
Qualifying Uses
Bonding with new child, family care, military family assistance
NYC Sick & Safe Time (Expanded 2026)
Benefit
Up to 56 hours paid (100+ employees) or 40 hours paid (5-99 employees)
Eligibility
All NYC employees working 80+ hours/year, including undocumented workers
Qualifying Uses
Illness, family care, domestic violence, workplace violence (new 2026), public disaster
Pregnancy-Related Leave
Pregnant workers in NYC have multiple overlapping protections that can be stacked for extended leave:
NYC Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Reasonable accommodations — bathroom breaks, lifting restrictions, schedule changes
NYS Disability Insurance
Partial wage replacement during disability around childbirth (typically 6–8 weeks)
Paid Family Leave
Up to 12 weeks paid bonding time after the disability period
FMLA
12 weeks job-protected leave (runs concurrently with PFL)
Denied Leave? Punished for Taking It?
It's illegal for employers to deny protected leave, count it against your attendance, or retaliate in any way. An attorney can evaluate your case at no cost.
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