Jeffrey Risman, a partner of Risman & Risman, P.C., was quoted in a Law360 article on April 4, 2016, titled “NY Family Leave Policy Could Gain Momentum In Other States,” by Vin Gurrieri.
As reported in the article (subscription required), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law Monday the nation’s most comprehensive family leave program, which allows workers to take 12 weeks to care for newborn children or seriously ill family members.
The policy was first announced by Cuomo last week as part of the 2016-17 New York state budget, making New York the fifth state along with the District of Columbia to enact laws that provide paid family leave for employees.
The article reports that this new policy can be one of the state’s broadest measures yet. “New York’s new paid leave policy is transformative in expanding benefits to workers who are most in need by not forcing them to make the choice between their health, the care of a loved one and their livelihood,” said plaintiffs attorney Jeffrey Risman of New York-based Risman & Risman PC. “New York’s policy is certainly the most progressive and extensive of its kind in the country, and I hope that other states follow suit.”
Risman, meanwhile, believes that any reservations by employers to the New York policy and similar versions may not lie in any potential financial burden, but rather in the fear that they are going to be scrambling to replace individuals on leave.
But ultimately, Risman said he believes the policy “will enable employers to be able to obtain and retain better candidates.”
Risman & Risman, P.C. wants to make sure that you are fully protected as an employee under the various body of laws in New York State and New York City. If you believe you or your family member was and/or has been discriminated or retaliated against in the workplace, please contact the employment attorneys of Risman & Risman, P.C. at (212) 233-6400 or contact us online.