The State of New York (NY) recently published several new forms and documents relating to NY’s Paid Family Leave (PFL) law. As background, NY’s PFL law takes effect Jan. 1, 2018, and requires employers to provide up to eight weeks of paid leave to employees in certain situations, including bonding with a newly born or adopted/fostered child, taking care of a family member with a serious health condition or helping with a family member in connection with a military deployment. While NY has published several forms relating to the PFL leave process, there are three new forms and documents available.
First, employers must update their written leave policies to incorporate NY PFL’s protections. In doing so, NY has provided a document to assist, called “Model Language for Employee Materials.” This can be used for updating their written leave policies (which should be done in coordination with outside counsel or other HR professionals) and for notifying employees of their rights under the law (which is another requirement under NY PFL).
In addition, when an employee requests leave, employers must provide a form (State of Rights for Paid Family Leave, Form PFL-271S) to the employee. PFL-271 is now available in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Russian and Chinese.
Finally, employers must also post a notice in the workplace in plain view. This notice is referred to as Form PFL-120. Insurance carriers will provide employers with this notice, since it contains insurer-specific contact information. Employers should work with their carriers in obtaining Form PFL-120 and then posting it in common workplace areas (such as break rooms, cafeteria, etc.).
PFL Model Language for Employee Materials »
Form PFL-271S (English) »
Form PFL-271S (Other Languages — Scroll down to “Statement of Rights for Paid Family Leave") »