The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) is on schedule to launch the PFML program in January 2021 for the state of Massachusetts. That means upon January 1, 2021 most PFML benefits will become available.
What is PFML?
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is a state program that offers up to 26 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons to eligible employees in Massachusetts. PFML is funded through employee and employer contributions, and is separate from both the federally mandated benefits offered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other family and medical leave benefits offered by employers.
Paid family leave may be taken to:
- Care for a sick family member
- Bond with a newborn child
- Bond with a child after adoption or foster care placement
- Manage family affairs when a family member is on active duty in the armed forces
See more here
Paid medical leave may be taken to:
- Manage a personal serious injury or illness
Who’s covered by PFML?
PFML is available to covered individuals who work in Massachusetts. Covered individuals include:
- W-2 workers who work in Massachusetts, whether they are full-time, part-time, or seasonal
- Self-employed individuals
- 1099-MISC workers who work in Massachusetts, do not qualify as independent contractors, and who make up more than 50% of their employer’s workforce
What do I need to do as an employer?
- If you have not done so already, you must display the “Notice of Benefits Available Under M.G.L. Chapter 175M Paid Family and Medical Leave” poster in a visible location for your workers.
- Provide written information on PFML to new employees within 30 days of the employee’s start date. As well as written acknowledgment from the employee.
- By Jan. 31, 2020: Employers must remit employee and (if applicable) employer contributions for the Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 quarter through MassTaxConnect.
- Prior to Jan. 1, 2021: Employers should consider how PFML will relate to existing leave policies and revise handbooks and policies accordingly.
In the next few weeks, employers registered through MassTaxConnect should expect to receive a request to update your contact information. That way you’ll be ready when employees start taking paid leave in January 2021.
Stratlign Inc. will continue to monitor newly released information from the Department and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, for more assistance with understanding the PFML, you can visit our resource center and watch our webinar here.
If you have specific questions please email us at info@stratlign.com.
