NEW YORK BLOOD DONATION LEAVE POLICY

NEW NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BLOOD DONATION LEAVE

It is important for New York employers to be aware of their legal obligations when an employee requests time off to donate blood.  Last summer, the New York State legislature passed legislation requiring New York employers with 20 or more employees to provide up to three hours of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for blood donation. Employees who work an average of twenty or more hours per week are eligible for this leave. 

Effective July 8, 2008, the New York State Department of Labor has issued guidelines that require New York employers to provide written notification to their employees regarding this new law.  If you have not done so already, amend your employee handbooks to include a new policy on blood donation leave. Purchase this important new policy today!