2025 New York State Employment Law Updates:

Jan 24, 2025 | Announcements

  1. Minimum Wage Increases. Effective January 1, 2025, the hourly minimum wage across New York State (excluding New York City, Westchester and Long Island) will increase from $15.00 to $15.50. 
  2. Salary Exempt Threshold Changes. Employees may be exempt from overtime requirements depending on their job duties. On January 1, 2025, the new weekly minimum salary threshold for exempt status will increase to $1,161.65 per week, up from $1,124.20. (excluding New York City, Westchester and Long Island).
  3. End of COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave. COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave expires on July 31, 2025. After July 31, 2025, employees will need to use existing paid leave, such as New York State’s Paid Sick Leave or New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time to manage care or isolate for COVID-19.
  4. Paid Prenatal Leave. Effective January 1, 2025, employers are required to provide employees with 20 hours of prenatal personal leave during any 52-week calendar period. Paid prenatal leave is to be provided in addition to other existing sick leave. The leave may be taken for health care services such as physical examinations, medical procedures, monitoring and testing and discussions with health care providers related to pregnancy. Paid prenatal leave may be taken in and must be paid in one-hour increments. Additionally, the use of the language “their pregnancy” indicates the law covers only pregnant employees and not spouses. The law does not state employees must work for a specified period of time before being eligible for prenatal leave. Employers are not required to pay an employee for unused paid prenatal leave upon termination, resignation or other separation from employment.