Paid family and medical leave (PFML) laws are gaining traction in several states. Whether or not PFML has come to your state, here are some key points to understand:
- If you have employees working in multiple states, you’ll need to know and account for laws that apply in each state.
- Have clear definitions of eligibility. Generally, state regs define it as a minimum number of hours worked for the previous four quarters. However, there are separate considerations for 1099 contractors.
- Take a fresh look at your short-term disability plan. This coverage complements PFML benefits by ensuring workers don’t take leave for periods of time without income protection.
- Determine if you will use the state’s plan or a private offering. Decide which benefits you want to offer employees while complying with state laws.
- Make sure you meet your compliance requirements. States typically post deadlines for and other information about these requirements on their websites. Read and absorb all of this information, or you could end up facing fines or damage to your organization’s reputation.
