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Attention: Ryan Tomchick
Medical Leaves Administration
395 Pine Tree Rd. Suite 130
Ithaca, NY 14850
Tel/Fax: (607) 255-1136
Email: rmt224@cornell.edu
In 2016, Governor Cuomo signed into law the New York State Paid Family Leave (NYPFL) policy that requires employers to offer paid leave for eligible non-academic staff members to bond with a new child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or for a qualifying military exigency.
Effective 1/1/2023 the state has added siblings to a covered family member for Paid Family Leave. Please feel free to visit the state’s website listed at left for more information about the state’s program, reasons for leave, covered family members, etc.
New York State's timeline called for a phased rollout over four years, with the benefit level starting at 8 weeks, 50 percent pay in 2018, and reaching 12 weeks, 67 percent pay in 2021. Cornell launched the program in January 2018 at the year-four level.
New York State specified that the Paid Family Leave Program is employee-funded, and that employers shall collect an employee contribution through a payroll deduction determined annually by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
All items on this form must be completed and submitted at least 30 days in advance of the requested leave. If less than 30 days advance notice is being given, an explanation must be provided. Additional forms and supporting documentation will be required depending on the type of leave being requested. These forms will be provided once the PFL Request Form has been received.
Employees working in other states with state-provided paid family and/or medical leave benefits will be covered under the terms of their respective state's policies. If you are unsure whether your state provides its own paid family or medical leave benefit you may contact Medical Leaves Administration (MLA) at 607-255-1177, and MLA can direct you to the appropriate state agency which would receive your request for paid leave.
The total time afforded to both parents for leave remains the same, but the paid period increases from 4 weeks to 12 - and is provided at a higher rate - and in turn, the unpaid time decreases from 12 weeks to 4.
Check out our comparison graphic to see how the new bonding leave program under NYPFL matches up to the prior parental leave policy.
See University Policy 6.2.1, Leaves for Professors and Academic Staff.