Paid Prenatal Leave in NYC and How to Use It
Employees in New York are now entitled to paid prenatal leave for certain pregnancy-related healthcare appointments and medical care. Effective January 1, 2025, New York became the first state to require employers to provide paid prenatal leave as a separate employment benefit. Understanding how this leave works, who qualifies, and how...
Can I Be Punished for Using Sick Time in NYC?
In most cases, no. Employers generally cannot discipline, fire, or otherwise retaliate against employees for lawfully using protected sick leave under New York City or New York law. While employers may enforce reasonable attendance policies, they cannot punish employees for exercising their legal right to earned sick leave. If disciplinary action...
Can My Job Demand a Doctor’s Note for Sick Leave?
Yes, in some situations an employer may require a doctor's note for sick leave, but New York City law limits when and how employers can request medical documentation. Whether an employer can ask for a doctor's note depends on how long you have been absent, the employer's leave policies, and the...
What Happens If I Report Wage Theft at Work in NYC?
Reporting wage theft in New York City can trigger an investigation, protect your right to unpaid wages, and potentially lead to compensation for lost earnings. While many employees worry about consequences, the law provides strong protections against retaliation when you come forward.
Key TakeawaysCan My Employer Fire Me for Calling Out Sick in NYC?
In New York City, your employer generally cannot fire you for taking protected sick leave. If you use sick time under the law and follow your employer’s policies, termination or discipline for calling out sick may be illegal retaliation.
What Sick Leave Laws Apply in NYC?Do I Still Qualify for Overtime in NYC in 2026?
Is Time Spent Opening or Closing Paid Work in New York?
In New York, time spent opening or closing a workplace is generally considered paid work if it is required and benefits the employer. If you are performing job-related tasks before or after your scheduled shift, that time is typically compensable, even if it is not listed on your schedule.
New York’s “Trapped at Work” Act: What Employees Need to Know
New York's Trapped at Work Act, signed December 19, 2025, prohibits employers from requiring employees to sign agreements that impose repayment obligations if they leave before a set period. These "stay-or-pay" provisions are now declared void and unenforceable under New York Labor Law. In addition, amendments signed on February 13, 2026,...
What Is a “Clopening” Shift and What Does It Mean for Workers?
A “clopening” shift happens when an employee is scheduled to close a workplace late at night and then return early the next morning to open. These back-to-back shifts often leave workers with little time to rest. In New York City, clopening practices are regulated in certain industries under the Fair Workweek Law,...
NYC Grocery Delivery Worker Protections: What Changed in 2025 and What Rights You Have Now
NYC grocery delivery workers gained stronger wage protections in 2025 under updated city rules governing app-based platforms. The Minimum Pay Rate framework that applies to restaurant delivery workers also covers grocery delivery workers operating through qualifying platforms. As of April 1, 2025, the minimum required pay rate is $21.44 per hour, excluding...