New York Employers – Key 2025 Employment Law Updates
Employers in the Empire State face several significant changes in 2025. These legal developments impact everything from sick leave to minimum wage. Here are the key takeaways for employers. Paid Prenatal Leave In April 2024 , New York became the first state to require private employers to provide paid prenatal leave to employees. Effective January 1, 2025, employers must provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave every year. Under the law, employees can take leave for “health care services received by an employee during their pregnancy or related to such pregnancy, including physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing, and discussions with a health care provider related to pregnancy.” Paid prenatal leave is a separate obligation from sick leave, which is already required by state and local law. These benefits are available immediately upon hire. The leave can be taken in hourly increments and are paid at th...