State's fully paid parental leave program expands

ALBANY | Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced expansion of New York's nation-leading initiative to offer 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave benefits to more than 80 percent of the state workforce. As part of the governor's ongoing support for New York workers and their families, this historic shift means that the majority of state workers will have access to this crucial benefit for the first time in state history. "No one should have to choose between a paycheck and caring for their newborn child," Gov. Hochul said. "In my State of the State, I put forward a nation-leading proposal to offer fully paid parental leave benefits to New York State employees — and today we are making good on that promise. By extending fully paid parental leave to over 80 percent of State employees, New York is leading by example and providing a critical line of support for hardworking families." On June 13, the governor announced an agreement with the three largest State unions to expand paid parental leave. The governor announced a signed agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents New York State workers in a variety of roles, to expand paid parental leave to more than more than 52,000 employees. The governor also announced pending contract agreements with the Public Employees Federation, representing public employees with professional, scientific, and technical titles, and the United University Professions, representing workers in higher education, which include fully paid parental leave benefits for members. If ratified, workers will be eligible to receive 12 weeks of fully paid leave to use for bonding with a newborn, fostered, or adopted child. Despite the well-documented positive benefits of paid parental leave to maternal and infant health, as well as family economic security and workforce retention, the United States is the only developed country in the world without a national paid parental leave policy. New parents and caregivers depend on a patchwork of various federal, state, and local leave policies, in addition to any employer-sponsored benefits. Gov. Hochul first announced this initiative as part of her 2023 State of the State address. Once the union contracts are ratified, more than 140,000 union employees will join the 10,000 unrepresented New York State employees who became eligible following a February policy bulletin by Governor Hochul. Office of Employee Relations will continue to engage remaining State unions on extending this benefit to their employees through collective bargaining. Gov. Hochul also announced that the New York State Department of Labor (DOL) will develop and launch a statewide paternity leave awareness campaign, as recommended by the 2023 Gender Wage Gap Report. The campaign will aim to normalize paternity leave by raising awareness about the benefits available to new and expectant fathers and highlighting how paternity leave can positively impact families and the career and salary prospects of women earners. Watch an example of DOL paternity leave awareness campaign video here: youtube.com/watch?v=krgsM4YlMh8.

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State's fully paid parental leave program expands

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