Bereavement Leave Likely to be Added to NY Paid Family Leave

The NYS Legislature has passed a bill which would add bereavement leave to the list of permissible reasons to take paid family leave.  The bill would allow employees to use paid family leave after the death of a family member.  It would also allow those who have already been using paid family leave to care for a family member to use any remaining time for bereavement.

On average, employers usually allow a few days for bereavement.  Lawmakers say that this change will allow employees to take the time necessary to take care of their psychological needs after a family member’s death, and that the inability to take sufficient time has not only a negative effect on an employee’s health, but also their ability to perform their day-to-day tasks. 

All that is left is for Governor Cuomo to sign this bill into law.  Bereavement leave would be added to Paid Family Leave on January 1, 2020. 

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