The University offers a variety of leave options designed to support eligible employees in managing workplace responsibilities while addressing personal needs. This includes New York State’s Paid Prenatal Leave, which provides eligible individuals with the ability to take paid leave for any pregnancy-related health care services.
Eligibility for Paid Prenatal Leave
Effective January 1, 2025, all covered employees working in New York State will have the ability to take up to 20 hours of paid leave for pregnancy-related health care services in a 52-week period. This includes faculty, staff, student workers, temporary employees and graduate assistants.
Paid Prenatal Leave may only be used by the covered employee directly receiving prenatal health care services, and cannot be used by spouses, partners or other support people.
Pregnancy-related health care includes:
- Physical examinations
- Medical procedures
- Monitoring
- Testing
- Discussions with a health care provider needed to ensure a healthy pregnancy
- Fertility treatment
- End of pregnancy care
Benefits Available During Paid Prenatal Leave
It is important to highlight that this is a separate benefit from other leave policies and laws. Eligible employees are entitled to 20 hours of Paid Prenatal Leave in a 52-week period in addition to other available leave options. The 52-week period for an employee is measured from the first date they use Paid Prenatal Leave.
Paid Prenatal Leave time used will be paid at the employee’s regular rate of pay and does not count towards the calculation of overtime earnings.
How to Request a Paid Prenatal Leave
Covered employees who wish to use Paid Prenatal Leave time should notify their supervisor or department designee in accordance with their department’s notification procedures with as much advance notice as possible. Employees must report use of Paid Prenatal Leave using the department’s regular time-keeping system.
Helpful Links:
Visit the NYS Paid Prenatal Leave for more information.
Contact the Leave Administrator at 315.443.4042 or email leaveadmin@syr.edu with any questions about Paid Prenatal Leave.