Nineteen former correction officers are suing New York State, claiming they were illegally fired while on protected medical leave, according to WETM. The federal class-action lawsuit, filed May 30, accuses the state of violating the Family and Medical Leave Act by ending their employment and cutting off benefits in March.
The plaintiffs say they had valid FMLA approvals for caregiving or recovery but were marked AWOL and dropped from health insurance. They allege the state also blocked them from collecting overtime, retirement pay, and other earned benefits.
The suit names Gov. Kathy Hochul, the DOC commissioner, and prison officials, and seeks lost wages, legal fees, and reinstatement. The state declined to comment on the pending litigation.
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