{"id":286462,"date":"2017-12-12T15:23:57","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T20:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=286462"},"modified":"2017-12-12T15:23:57","modified_gmt":"2017-12-12T20:23:57","slug":"new-york-state-paid-family-leave-act-goes-effect-jan-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/new-york-state-paid-family-leave-act-goes-effect-jan-1\/","title":{"rendered":"New York State Paid Family Leave Act goes into effect Jan. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beginning Jan. 1, the Paid Family Leave Act (PFL) goes into effect for most employers in New York State, including the University of Rochester. PFL offers job-protected, paid leave to eligible employees for the purpose of caring for a close relative with a serious health condition; assisting a family member, due to another family member\u2019s active military duty or impending active duty abroad; or bonding with a newborn or newly placed child.<\/p>\n

Many University employees\u2014about two-thirds of the employee base\u2014will automatically receive PFL as a benefit starting in the new year. However, there is a group of University employees who, according to New York State\u2019s Workers Compensation Board, will need to vote in order for this group to be PFL-eligible. Faculty and staff in this group, which is largely made up of employees with specific advanced academic degrees and\/or licenses, will receive a direct email from the Office of Human Resources requesting their participation in the important online vote.<\/p>\n

Human Resources has developed a full FAQ.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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New York State has outlined a phased-in approach for employees taking advantage of this new benefit: in 2018, up to 8 weeks of paid leave is available at 50 percent of pay; beginning in 2021, the benefit goes up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 67 percent of pay.<\/p>\n

PFL will be employee-funded through a payroll deduction determined annually by New York State. In 2018, the rate will be 0.126 percent of an eligible employee\u2019s weekly wage, capped at $85.56 per year. Beginning Jan. 1, all eligible employees will see this deduction come out of their regular paycheck, regardless if they ever elect to use PFL.<\/p>\n

Human Resources is holding several information sessions for employees to attend and ask any PFL-related questions. The sessions are:<\/p>\n

River Campus:<\/strong><\/p>\n