Photo of Brian E. Lewis

Brian E. Lewis

Subscribe to Brian E. Lewis's Posts
Contact:Read more about Brian E. Lewis

Massachusetts employers should prepare for an important change to the Commonwealth’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) contribution structure beginning January 1, 2027. Under recently enacted Chapter 101 of the Acts of 2026, the employer-required share of PFML contributions will shift from medical leave to family leave. According to the Department of Family and Medical…

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced the 2026 weekly benefit amount and contribution rates for employers and employees under the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, the benefit contribution rate remains at .88% of eligible wages for all employers. The benefit contribution rates are as…

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced changes to the employer contribution rates and benefit amounts under the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) effective January 1, 2025.

Each October 1st, the Department of Family and Medical Leave is required to update employer contribution rates and benefit amounts for the upcoming…

In one of the first decisions interpreting the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) held that the PFMLA does not require an employer to allow employees to accrue benefits, such as vacation time and sick time, during PFMLA leave. Bodge, et al. v. Commonwealth, et al., SJC-13567, slip…

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has released an updated version of its workplace poster for 2024 reflecting the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) contribution and benefit increases that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. The poster must be posted in a location where it can be easily read and…

            In the enacted state budget, the Massachusetts legislature has amended the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) to provide employers and employees more flexibility to use other accrued benefits to supplement paid benefits employees receive from the state. The new law is effective November 1, 2023.

            Currently, the state-provided maximum weekly…

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave has announced changes to the employer contribution rates and benefit amounts under the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) effective January 1, 2024.

Each October 1st, the Department of Family and Medical Leave is required to update employer contribution rates and benefit amounts for the upcoming year.

A provision in the enacted state budget for fiscal year 2023 would have amended the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) to provide employers and employees more flexibility to use other accrued benefits to supplement paid benefits received from the state. The governor initially returned the legislation to the legislature with a recommendation,…

On February 28, 2022, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance sent official notice to employers that the program established in May 2021 would be ending on March 15, 2022. Employers must continue to offer leave to eligible employees through March 15. (For program details, see our article, Massachusetts Employers Must Provide Up to 40…