Understanding the legality of denying paid time off by employers.

Employers are not required to offer paid vacation, but if they do, the policies and requirements vary. In the absence of a written policy, state laws govern how vacation is handled. In New York, employers can enforce a "use it or lose it" policy. If what you were told about paid vacation is not in writing and there is no practice of offering it to other employees, they may be in breach of an oral contract, but proving it can be difficult. Additionally, a new law in New York prohibits restaurants from discriminating against job applicants based on their looks.