New York State Now Has Paid Family Leave Benefits

Jan 04, 2018

New York State just made a major investment in the people working and living there. Starting this month, employees in the public sector will be getting up to eight weeks paid benefits for family leave if they request it from their employer. While, in the past, there has been no legal mandate in the state to ensure that employees get paid for time off, the new opt-in plan covers anyone in the state working set hours over the course of the year.

Rolling out now and through 2021, full-time employees working more than 20 hours a week for 26 consecutive weeks, or part-time employees working less than 20 hours over 175 non-consecutive days throughout the year, are eligible to receive eight weeks paid leave to bond with a baby or adopted child, care for a sick loved one, or help out if a family member has been deployed overseas. By 2021, when the rollout is complete, employees will be entitled to a full 12 weeks paid. Employees in 2018 are eligible for up to 50 percent of their weekly pay up to $652.96, with benefits increasing to 67 percent by 2021.

Besides not having to worry about finances in case of a need to leave work for a time, one of the biggest benefits to the new law is that employees cannot lose their jobs for taking time off. Although you will need to fill out request forms, preferably up to 30 days in advance of your leave, on the plus side, you can take the days in any combination that works for you, including in conjunction with other paid and unpaid leaves already provided by your employer. One caveat, though — anyone currently on disability is not entitled to also take paid family leave.

New York is the most recent in a series of states that have opted into offering a government scheme to ensure that citizens get necessary time off from work without penalty. California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have all been rolling out similar initiatives, with Cali taking the lead back in 2004.

Do you get paid family leave through your work or state? Tell us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Getty)

Um, Julia Schlaepfer Told Us Spencer & Alex Would "Barely" Reunite Before '1923' Season 2 Premiered

Considering the popularity of Alex and Spencer's relationship in 1923, it might surprise you to know Julia Schlaepfer was nervous to bring the "special" story to life with actor Brandon Sklenar. "I was a little nervous because I was like, 'This is such a big universe and I want [fans] to love it as much as they love 1883 and Yellowstone,'" she tells Brit + Co exclusively.

Here's what Julia Schlaepfer had to say about Brandon Sklenar, Alex and Spencer, and Harrison Ford in Brit + Co's exclusive 1923 season 2 interview.

Julia Schlaepfer says filming '1923' with Brandon Sklenar felt like a "secret."

Emerson Miller/Paramount+

"Brandon [Sklenar] and I, when we were filming [season 1] in Africa, we would talk all the time about how it felt like we were making this really secret little indie movie together because we were so separate from the rest of the cast," she says. "Everything was so new to us, we were in Africa, and so it kind of felt like a secret. It felt like a very personal thing."

She didn't quite realize just how special 1923 was until she finally got to see the show's opener. "I'll never forget actually, [when] our producer Michael Friedman showed us the opening credits for the first time," Julia adds. "We were in Malta and we were doing the swimming sequence and he was like, 'I have to show this to you guys because I don't think you know how special it is.'"

"Our names pop up right after Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren and we all, like, cried together, and I think I was like, "Oh, this is so exciting and big,'" she continues. "It's been so special and I'm really glad that the fans like it."

But for the new episodes, Julia Schlaepfer and Brandon Sklenar "barely" saw each other.

Yep, after countless fan edits, I can confidently say fans love Alex and Spencer — but (to my utter heartbreak), Julia teases we'll see way less of her and Brandon onscreen together this time around after season 1 split up their characters in the finale.

"It was very separate," she says of filming the upcoming episodes. "I mean, we block shot as well, so we were all kind of coming in at different times to film, but no, we did not [see each other a lot...Season one we spent all our time together, this season we barely spent any time together. It was very much like, suddenly we were ripped apart. But that's what the characters are going through."

Now, this is a huge tease for what to expect from 1923 season 2 (and might even be a spoiler) because some fans' biggest questions are: What episode does Spencer get home in 1923 season 2? When are Alex and Spencer going to reunite?! Unfortunately, it looks like it'll take a bit before we see them together again.

Even though it was an "odd" and "isolating" thing, and a "totally opposite experience" from filming the first season, Julia says the split "works for the characters this season, you know. It was very helpful as an actor because that's what they're going through as well."

Fans can expect to see a whole new side to Alex in '1923' season 2.

Lauren Smith/Paramount+

Even though Alex is on her own, it was important to Julia that she still have that "sparkle" we all love. "It was about digging deep and finding a more scrappy side to her," she says. "It was tricky because I didn't want to lose Alex's sparkle, I didn't want to lose the vivacious, happy side of her, but she's going through something completely different. So bringing the core of who she is and what she stands for and how deeply she loves and how bravely she lives combined with, you know, the fear and the determination was, it was a really great challenge as an actor. But yeah, we see a lot more grit from her this season, I would say."

And not only does Julia love Alex's grit, but she's inspired by her ferocity.

"Since starting season one, I'm like, 'I have to live like that,'" she says. "She follows her happiness like so fiercely and I was like, 'Why aren't I doing that? What can I do to bring more joy to my life and to live as honestly as she lives?' I've learned a lot from her."

Read up on The 1923 Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained before season 2 premieres! And check out our interview with actress Michelle Randolph, where she teases we'll finally "fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

This post has been updated.

This Easy 3-Ingredient Tzatziki Sauce Is Perfect For Any Mediterranean Recipe

When I ended up in the ER for stomach pain my senior year of college I didn't know that six years later I'd be relatively pain-free. I out gluten, high-acid foods, and red meat, and started consistently buying stomach-safe foods like broccoli, sweet potatoes, and chicken, and my first thought was Is this what everyone feels like all the time?

Those foods swaps genuinely changed my life — and now I'm on a (semi) permanent anti-inflammatory diet that features lots of whole foods and only the occasional coffee (hence the "semi" permanence). And an absolute must-have in my fridge these days? My homemade, 3-ingredient tzatziki sauce. Give it a try and tell me it's not the perfect topping for Mediterranean bowls!

Keep reading for the easiest 3-ingredient tzatziki sauce recipe for Mediterranean bowls, breakfast dishes, and more.

Here's what you'll need for this 3-ingredient tzatziki sauce.

Shameel mukkath/Pexels

Ingredients

Non-fat Greek yogurt
1 cucumber
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

Tools

Bowl
Grater

How to make Brit + Co's easy tzatziki sauce

Shameel mukkath/Pexels

Instructions

Grate your cucumber into your bowl: I like to use at least half the cucumber if not the whole thing!
Next you'll want to get rid of all the water: I dump out the liquid in the bowl then soak up any extra with a paper towel. Don't be afraid to squeeze the cucumber out!
Mix in your Greek yogurt: I prefer equal parts yogurt and cucumber, but you can play with the ratio until it's a mix you like. That's the best part about homemade recipes!
Add in your lemon juice: I prefer to taste the lemon so I love to really add it in but you can keep it light, and even mix in a little salt or garlic powder for a different edge.
Mix it all together and you're good to go! I store mine in a mason jar in the fridge and it's ready for me whenever I need it.

This tzatziki sauce is the perfect topper for my Mediterranean chicken bowls, potatoes, or even on top of an egg (trust me!). There's no better time to make these 26 Mediterranean Recipes That Will Make You Feel Like You're On Vacation;).

Tag us in all your cooking adventures @britandco and follow us on Pinterest for more recipes!

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7 Places You Should Always Clean When You Move Into A New Home

There’s always a bit of an ick factor when you move into a new home — especially if it’s a fixer-upper. When I closed on my home five years ago, the place reeked of cigarette smoke. I had the floors refinished and the walls painted before I moved in, but even then, I couldn’t relax until I gave everything a deep clean. If you’re about to settle into a new space, don’t skip these often-overlooked spots when you're cleaning your home — they make a big difference!

Here are places you should always clean when you move into a new home.

Photo by Kam Idris on Unsplash

Inside Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers

Crumbs, dust, and mystery smudges often get left behind when previous homeowners move out. Wipe with a gentle all-purpose cleaner, then add drawer liners for a fresh, finished look.

Photo by Liliana Drew

The Fridge & Freezer

It always feels good to start with a clean slate in the fridge; after all, you don't want your groceries mingling with someone else's leftovers. Take out all shelves and drawers to soak in warm, soapy water, then wipe down interior walls with a baking soda and water solution.

Photo by Christian Mackie on Unsplash

Bathroom Fixtures

Faucets, handles, and shower heads can harbor buildup or bacteria. Use a vinegar soak on shower heads and a disinfectant spray on all high-touch surfaces.

Shutterstock

Air Vents & Filters

I was living in my home for a year before a friend pointed out that I needed to replace my HVAC filter every 6 months to a year. Now I'm consistent about it. Apparently, dust and allergens can build up fast — especially if the home was vacant for a while. Vacuum vent covers and replace HVAC filters so your new space breathes better.

Photo by cottonbro studio

Light Switches & Doorknobs

These are touched constantly — and rarely cleaned. Go room by room with a disinfecting wipe or spray to wipe down all the switches and knobs.

Photo by Max Vakhtbovycn

Baseboards & Trim

Vacuum your carpets and floors thoroughly, then mop using the right cleaner for your floor type (wood, tile, vinyl, etc.). Don't forget baseboards and trim, which collect dust and scuffs — especially during a move-out and move-in. Use a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water to clean up dust. I'm love a Magic Eraser to remove tougher marks too.

Photo by Nacho Posse

Washing Machines

Lint, detergent buildup, and even mildew can linger in your washer from previous use. Wipe down the inside of the washer drum, clean the detergent drawer, and vacuum out the dryer lint trap and vent. Run a hot cycle with white vinegar in the washer to freshen things up. Do the same for your dishwasher too!

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