Work, Pay & Leave Rights · Surprise rank #126
NYC Worker? You May Have 40–56 Paid Hours, 32 Unpaid Hours and 20 Extra Prenatal Hours
NYC's Protected Time Off Law gives most covered employees paid protected time off, a separate bank of unpaid protected time and additional paid prenatal leave.
Who
Employees covered by NYC's Protected Time Off Law.
Where: New York City
What to do
Start here: Check the employer's required Notice of Employee Rights and use the protected-time procedure. Report violations to NYC DCWP.
Eligibility: Coverage and the paid-hour amount depend on employer size, employer income and other statutory rules.
What you get
Most covered employees can use protected time for illness, medical care, childcare and other protected needs without retaliation.
Benefit: Up to 40 or 56 hours of paid protected time off per year, 32 hours of unpaid protected time and 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to protected time off.
Possible value: Depends on the worker's hourly pay and how much protected time is used.
Good to know
Important: The 32 hours are unpaid, not extra paid sick time. The 20 prenatal hours are specifically for prenatal health care and are separate from ordinary protected time off.
Availability: Active; expanded rules effective in 2026
Why people miss it: Workers may still think only the older sick-and-safe-leave rules apply and miss the newer unpaid protected-time bank and separate prenatal leave.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026