New Jersey Expands Paid Family Leave

On Tuesday February 19, 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed into law legislation that will expand the current paid family leave, which was enacted in 2008.  The new law significantly expands protections for those who miss work due to caring for a newborn child or a sick loved one. 

The following changes include:

Doubling the number of weeks for Family Leave Insurance (FLI) and Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) (Beginning July 2020).

o   Employees can now take up to 12 consecutive weeks of paid family leave or TDI during a 12 month period. Currently, employees can only take up to six weeks of FLI or TDI in a 12 month period.

Increasing Weekly Benefit.

o   The maximum benefit will go up from $650 per week to $860 per week.  Individuals can now receive 85% of their weekly wage.

Intermittent Leave Increased from 42 days to 56 Days (Beginning July 2020).

o   Workers will be able to take up to 56 days of intermittent leave in a 12 month period.

Anti-Retaliation Provisions.

o   Employers with 30 or more employees are barred from retaliating or discriminating an employee due to them taking family leave.

Expanding of Individuals Eligibility to Take Paid Leave.

o   The new bill expands eligibility for individuals to take leave to include: caring for siblings, in-laws, grandparents, grandchildren, other blood relatives and any other individual who can show the equivalent of a family relationship.

Domestic and Sexual Assault.

o   The new bill allows for individuals to use paid leave for medical attention, counseling, or legal assistance arising from domestic or sexual assault. They may also use the time to take care of a family member who was a victim

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