Needing time away from work for medical or family reasons is a normal part of life. It’s also a basic workplace protection, something foundational to a modern workforce.
Yet many high-income professionals in New York find themselves in a difficult position the moment they request medical leave. Suddenly, the role they’ve worked years to earn feels less secure.
When your employer treats your medical needs as a threat to the business, the pressure becomes intense. You’re trying to manage your health or support your family while also protecting the position, reputation, and income you’ve worked so hard to build. No one should have to choose between taking necessary leave and safeguarding their livelihood.
Understanding how the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) applies to you—and working with an experienced New York FMLA attorney, can give you the clarity and protection you need.
What Is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
The Family and Medical Leave Act is a federal law that grants eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical or family reasons. It allows you to take time away from work without losing your job or your health insurance.
Key Protections Under FMLA
- Job Security: Your employer must hold your position or provide an equivalent role when you return.
- Health Benefits: Your group health insurance must remain active throughout your leave.
- Employer Coverage: Applies to private-sector employers with 50 or more employees, as well as public agencies and schools.
How the FMLA Supports High-Income Professionals
For executives, senior leaders, and other high-income employees, leave is rarely simple. You may manage teams, oversee major accounts, or be integral to the company’s strategic direction. Taking time off can raise worries about being replaced, sidelined, or quietly pushed out.
Safeguarding the Position You’ve Worked So Hard For
If you’ve built a career through years of dedication, stepping away due to medical or family needs may feel risky. But FMLA protections are designed to ensure that your employer cannot penalize you for taking qualified leave. They cannot demote you, reduce your responsibilities, or retaliate because you exercised your rights.
Keeping Critical Benefits in Place
Health insurance is essential, especially during a medical leave. The FMLA requires your existing group benefits to continue as if you were still working, giving you stability at a time when it’s most needed.
New York’s Additional Leave Protections
New York offers some of the strongest employee leave protections in the country. In many cases, state laws provide benefits that work alongside or go beyond federal FMLA requirements.
How New York Paid Family Leave (PFL) Works with FMLA
- Income Replacement: FMLA leave is unpaid, while PFL provides partial wage replacement.
- Length of Leave: Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to use both types of leave to maximize your coverage.
- Expanded Reasons for Leave: New York often covers family-related needs that extend beyond the federal law.
Coordinating these programs can be complicated, especially for high-income earners with layered responsibilities, employment contracts, or unique compensation structures. A New York FMLA lawyer can help you understand how both apply to your situation.
Why Consult with a New York FMLA Attorney?
Federal and state leave laws can be complex on their own. When combined with senior-level duties, non-compete agreements, executive contracts, or performance-based compensation, the risks increase. An experienced FMLA employment lawyer can help you navigate every step.
How a NYC Employment Attorney Can Help Protect You
- Provide clarity on how FMLA and New York PFL intersect
- Review contracts, policies, and internal procedures for potential risks
- Ensure your leave is legally protected and properly documented
- Intervene if your employer denies, delays, or retaliates against your request
With knowledgeable legal support, you can take necessary leave without sacrificing the career you’ve built.
Get in Touch with a FMLA Attorney in New York Today
If you’re a high-income professional who needs family or medical leave, you deserve to understand your rights clearly and feel supported throughout the process. Mizrahi Kroub LLP has more than 50 years of collective experience advocating for employees across New York. Our FMLA attorneys know the pressures senior professionals face and how to protect both their rights and their careers.
Contact us today to speak with a New York FMLA lawyer. We’re here to help you take the time you need while safeguarding the position you’ve worked so hard to earn.
