ALBANY, NY (WTEN) — On January 1, pregnant employees can receive 20 hours of paid leave for prenatal doctors’ appointments.
“That means that if you’re someone who is planning on having a baby, or maybe someone who is struggling with fertility treatments, or if you’re someone who needs to end a pregnancy, you have 20 hours of paid prenatal leave. You don’t have to build up the time, you start with the 20 hours,” said Dr. James McDonald, New York State’s Health Commissioner.
According to the state, the time can be used throughout a 52-week period until the 20 hours are used. New York State Health Commissioner, James McDonald said there are many appointments associated with a pregnancy.
“Most people when they get prenatal care can plan on 13 or 14 visits. That’s quite a bit. These 20 hours should help us take care of that so people can get to the doctor and get the checkups they need when they are going to have a baby,” explained McDonald.
This is the first law of its kind. Jared Cook, a Tully Rinckey employment lawyer, shared advice for employers.
“Update your handbooks, if you’ve got any questions call an employment lawyer. Make sure you’re all set. And then the other thing is employers should make sure their managers are aware of this,” said Cook. “So, if somebody comes to them and says hey, I need to take this leave, that the manager doesn’t give them incorrect information and then suddenly you’re in trouble for giving people wrong information”
