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Workers in New York State who wish to donate blood may take up to 3 hours of leave annually to go to blood drives off the worksite.

The opportunity is thanks to the New York Employee Blood Donation Leave law, which is enforced by the New York Department of Labor.

Encouraging participation in blood drives, the law requires that employers allow their workers to take the time off during their regularly schedule hours without fear of reprisal or pressure. There are limits on blood drive leave, of course. Workers may not carry the time over from one year to the next. Just because a worker fails to use 3 hours of leave in 2008 does not mean she or he is entitled to 6 hours in 2009.

Every New York employer must display a New York Blood Donation poster.

Blood donation leave must be offered above and beyond existing vacation time, sick leave, or personal leave. The employee must have (more…)