New York City employers will need to revisit their time-off policies to conform to recently enacted changes to the local leave law.

What you need to know:

• New York City recently enacted amendments to its already generous paid sick and safe leave law, extending leave entitlements for employees.
• When the amendments take effect on February 22, 2026, all new hires, including temporary workers, employed within New York City will be eligible for 32 hours of unpaid leave immediately upon hire and each calendar year thereafter—on top of existing sick and safe time entitlements.
• The amendments expand permissible reasons for leave to permit time off for caregiving or to attend certain legal proceedings.
• Prenatal leave rules previously approved by the City are incorporated into the law.