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Join DCWP and Queens Public Library at a series of presentations on NYC's Protected Time Off Law this October! View flyer to learn more.

Information for Workers on Protected Time Off

NYC’s Protected Time Off Law

Under NYC’s Protected Time Off (PTO) Law, covered employees have the right to protected time off and paid prenatal leave.

  • Most employees have a right to up to 40 or 56 hours of paid protected time off per year.
  • Employees also have 32 hours of unpaid protected time off from the beginning of employment.
  • Employees can take protected time off for many reasons, including childcare, illness, medical appointments, and more.
  • Employers must provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to protected time off.

Your employer must give you a written Notice of Employee Rights: Protected Time Off and post it in the workplace. More languages available on the Notice of Employee Rights: Protected Time Off page.

If you have questions, read our FAQ or ask a question online.

Right to Request a Temporary Schedule Change  

Employees have a protected right to request temporary schedule changes including: 

  • changing the time or location of their work shift,
  • working remotely, or
  • swapping shifts with another employee

Employers may deny requests for a temporary schedule change, but they cannot retaliate against employees for making requests.

Read FAQ, File a Complaint or Ask a Question

Laws and Rules

New York City Administrative Code > Title 20: Consumer and Worker Protection > Chapter 8: Earned Safe and Sick Time Act

Rules of the City of New York > Title 6: Department of Consumer and Worker Protection > Chapter 7: Office of Labor Policy and Standards > Subchapter B: Earned Safe and Sick Time

Are You An Employer?

If you are a private or nonprofit employer in NYC or if you employ domestic workers in NYC, you must provide protected time off. Know your responsibilities.