As New Jersey employers are aware, under the NJ Family Leave Act (NJ FLA), eligible New Jersey employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in any 24-month period for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, and to care for a child or family member during certain public health emergencies. While NJ FLA is unpaid, eligible New Jersey employees may be also eligible for up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement from the State during certain types of NJ FLA through the New Jersey Paid Family Leave Insurance Program (NJ FLI). On January 17, 2026, former Governor Murphy enacted amendments to NJ FLA and NJ FLI expanding the number of employers and employees covered by the NJ FLA and clarifying the scope of job protection afforded to employees receiving benefits through NJ FLI. These changes go into effect on July 17, 2026.
Read MoreOn November 1, 2021, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill expanding New York State's Paid Family Leave program (“NY PFL”). As many employers are aware, NY PFL went into effect in 2018 and currently entitles employees in New York State to up to twelve weeks of partially paid leave to bond with their child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, and for certain reasons related to military exigency. Under this new amendment, siblings are now included under the definition of “family member” for the purposes of NY PFL caregiving leave.
Read MoreThe federal Department of Labor and New York State have issued additional guidance in the form of FAQs clarifying some of the ambiguities in the recently enacted leave laws. Below is a brief summary of some of the relevant clarifications.
Read MoreOn March 18, President Trump signed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” (the “Families First Act” or the “Act”). Among other provisions, the Act expands the coverage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) through December 31, 2020 to cover childcare needs related to a public health emergency for all employers with fewer than 500 employees. The Act also requires such leave to be paid, up to a cap. In addition, the Act provides emergency paid sick leave for all employers with fewer than 500 employees. To offset these costs, the Families First Act grants employers tax credits for amounts paid for expanded FMLA and sick leave, up to specific caps. The expanded FMLA and emergency paid sick leave requirements go into effect on April 1, 2020. Additionally, on March 17, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state government had come to an agreement regarding the provision of emergency paid leave for employees impacted by mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine due to the COVID-19 virus.
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