The D.C. Council has adopted legislation that “removes one of the biggest obstacles workers say prevents them from getting the COVID-19 vaccine” by ensuring paid time off for both vaccination and recovery from any side effects. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is expected to sign the “COVID Vaccination Leave Emergency Amendment Act of 2021”
Paid family and medical leave
Massachusetts Updates Paid Family and Medical Leave Contribution Rates, Maximum Benefit Payment Limits for 2022
The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced the employer contribution rates and benefit amounts under the state Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) beginning January 1, 2022.
Read more about the changes to the PFMLA effective January 1, 2022.
IRS Updates FAQs to Include Leave to Accompany Someone to a COVID-19 Vaccination or to Care for Someone for COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Illnesses
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) extends tax credits available to covered employers who provide qualified sick and family leave wages (within the meaning of ARPA) to their employees between April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its FAQs on the Paid Sick and Paid Family…
Revised Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Expands Who Are Covered Family Members
Beginning July 25, 2021, employees can use Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (WPFML) to care for more people.
The law originally permitted employees to get paid leave to help address the serious health condition of any “family member.” That term was defined to include:
- “Child,” including biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, or
…
New Hampshire Adopts Paid Leave Program
On June 24, 2021, the New Hampshire Legislature passed a two-year state budget that includes a paid leave program. Governor Chris Sununu signed the budget on June 25, 2021, and coverage must be provided by January 1, 2023.
The voluntary program, called the Granite State Paid Family Leave Plan, provides New Hampshire workers with 60…
Washington Amends Its Paid Family and Medical Leave Act in Response to Pandemic
The Washington State Legislature has temporarily amended the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Act to create pandemic leave assistance grants for certain employees and employers. Employees and employers cannot apply for these grants until August 1, 2021. This amendment expires on June 30, 2023. Read more about these grants.
COVID-19 Pandemic New Year: What Employers Should Know
The country begins the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic with optimism because of three Emergency Use Authorization vaccines and President Joe Biden’s direction that all states make all adults eligible for vaccination by May 1, 2021. As more workers return to work in person, there are key considerations for employers in the coming months.…
President Biden Calls for Reinstating and Expanding Mandatory Paid Leave As Part of Covid Relief Package
As all eyes are on Washington, DC today with the inauguration of our 46th President. President Biden has laid out an “aggressive plan” to “change the course of the pandemic, build a bridge towards economic recovery, and invest in racial justice.” The 19-page plan the incoming administration published last week calls for legislation to…
Mandatory COVID-19 Benefits Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act Have Ended, Now What?
In March 2020, when Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) with a sunset date of December 31, 2020, few anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic would be ongoing into 2021. Several similar state and local laws also sunset at the end of 2020. But the pandemic has not slowed, and requests for COVID-19-related leave…
Connecticut Paid FMLA: What Employers Need to Know Now
With a difficult 2020 nearing its end, if Connecticut Paid FMLA has recently reappeared on your radar, don’t fret! Simply review the below basics to prepare for this upcoming change.
As a reminder, last summer (i.e., an eternity ago), Connecticut enacted two separate laws—one creating a paid leave benefit and the other amending, and expanding,…