NYS Blood and Bone Marrow Donation Leave

Blood Donation

Employers in New York that have 20 or more employees must allow their employees to donate blood in one of two ways, at the option of the employer. Employees may use any applicable accumulated leave time to donate blood during work hours two times per year at a convenient time and place set by the employer, including allowing an employee to participate in a blood drive at their workplace. Alternatively, an employer may provide an employee with three hours of leave in any 12-month period to donate blood.

To be eligible, the employee must work an average of 20 hours a week or more.

Bone Marrow Donation

Employers with 20 or more employees must provide their employees with leave to donate bone marrow. The combined length of bone-marrow-donation leaves must be determined by a

physician, but the employer may limit it to 24 work hours. The employer may require verification by a physician for the purpose and length of each leave.

To be eligible, the employee must work an average of 20 hours a week or more. The employer may choose whether the leave is paid or unpaid.