Category Archives: Leaves of Absences
Subscribe to Leaves of Absences RSS FeedMassachusetts Releases Draft Regulations For Paid Family and Medical Leave Law
On January 23, 2019, Massachusetts released draft regulations on the Paid Family and Medical Leave (“PFML”) Law, signed into law last summer (as previously discussed here) and set to begin taking effect this upcoming July. The Department of Family and Medical Leave released these draft regulations for public comment only, with the deadline for publication … Continue Reading
The Employment Law Landscape in 2019
New York Paid Family Leave Law: Are You Prepared for 2019?
Texas Appellate Court Rules Austin City Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance Unconstitutional
As we previously reported, in February 2018, the city of Austin, Texas passed a paid sick and safe leave ordinance (the “Ordinance”) that would have required companies to provide paid sick and safe leave to their employees. The Ordinance obligated companies with 15 or more employees to provide eight days of paid leave, and companies … Continue Reading
Amended Rules Issued Under NYC Earned Safe and Sick Time Act
In follow up to recent amendments to the New York City Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (“ESSTA”), the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs Office of Labor Policy and Standards (“OLPS”) has amended its official rules, several of which expand upon currently existing rules regarding ESSTA. The OLPS has also issued an updated ESSTA FAQ … Continue Reading
Westchester County, New York Enacts Paid Sick Leave Law
Westchester County, NY has become the latest jurisdiction to enact a law providing eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those of a family member, or other covered reasons. The Ordinance will take effect on March 30, 2019. Covered Employees and Accrual of Sick Leave Similar to the New York City Earned … Continue Reading
Mandatory Employee Notice Issued for New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (the “Department”) has issued a mandatory employee notice regarding the NJ Earned Sick Leave Law, which goes into effect on October 29, 2018. As we have previously reported, the Law will require employers to provide eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those … Continue Reading
Proposed Rules Issued for New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has issued proposed rules for the recently enacted New Jersey paid sick leave act (the “Act”), which will take effect on October 29, 2018. The proposed rules will be subject to a 60-day public comment period. As we have previously reported, the Act will require employers … Continue Reading
San Antonio, Texas Enacts Paid Sick Leave Law … But Will It Live to Go Into Effect?
San Antonio, Texas has become the latest jurisdiction to enact a law providing eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those of family members, and for other covered reasons. The new Ordinance is scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2019 for employers with more than five employees, and on August 1, … Continue Reading
[Podcast]: New York City Temporary Schedule Change Law
Mandatory Posting Requirement Announced for NYC Temporary Schedule Change Law
As we have previously reported, effective July 18, 2018, employers in New York City are now required to grant employee requests for temporary work schedule changes when needed for certain medical and family care purposes. Employers are required to grant such requests either twice per calendar year for up to one business day per request, … Continue Reading
Massachusetts Governor Signs Minimum Wage, Family and Medical Leave Bill
On June 28, 2018, Governor Charlie Baker signed “An Act Relative to Minimum Wage, Paid Family Medical Leave, and the Sales Tax Holiday” (HB 4640) into law. Last week, we covered three major changes the Act makes to Massachusetts law that employers should be aware of (available here). In short, the Act incrementally increases minimum … Continue Reading
Massachusetts Legislature Passes Compromise Bill Increasing Minimum Wage, Establishing Paid Family and Medical Leave
On June 20, 2018, the Massachusetts legislature passed House Bill 4640, “An Act Relative to Minimum Wage, Paid Family Medical Leave, and the Sales Tax Holiday.” The bill increases minimum wage, eliminates premium Sunday pay for retail workers, and establishes a state paid family and medical leave insurance program. The bill also creates an annual … Continue Reading
Duluth, Minnesota Enacts Paid Sick Leave Law
Duluth, Minnesota has become the latest jurisdiction to enact a law providing eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those of a family member, or other covered reasons. The Ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2020. The Ordinance will apply to employers with five or more employees nationwide. Covered workers in … Continue Reading
New Jersey Enacts Statewide Paid Sick Leave Law
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) has signed into law the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act (the “Act”), which will provide eligible employees with paid leave for their own medical needs, those of a family member, or other covered reasons. The Act will take effect on October 29, 2018. Covered Employers and Employees The … Continue Reading
Are You Prepared for the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to Go Into Effect on April 1?
As the April 1, 2018 effective date of the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“MPWFA”) draws near, it is time to ensure that company policies and practices are in compliance with the new law. Within the last few months, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (“MCAD”) has issued interpretative guidance (including initial guidance issued January 23, … Continue Reading
Austin, Texas Enacts Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law
The Austin, Texas City Council has enacted a paid sick and safe leave ordinance, becoming the first southern city to pass such a law for private sector employees. The ordinance will take effect on October 1, 2018 for employers with five or more employees; coverage for smaller employers begins on October 1, 2020. Employees who work … Continue Reading
Maryland Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto of Paid Sick Leave Law
On Friday, January 12, 2018, the Maryland Senate voted 30-17 to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (the “Act”) which passed the Maryland General Assembly last year. The Maryland House of Delegates overrode the veto on Thursday. Accordingly, Governor Hogan’s veto has been overridden and the Act will become … Continue Reading
Bill Expanding Coverage Under the NYC Earned Sick Time Act Signed Into Law
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law an amendment to the NYC Earned Sick Time Act expanding the covered reasons for leave under the law, as well as broadening the definition of a covered family member for whom an employee may take leave to provide care. The amendments take effect on … Continue Reading
NYC Council Passes Bill to Expand Coverage Under the Earned Sick Time Act
The New York City Council has passed a bill that would amend the NYC Earned Sick Time Act (“ESTA”) to expand the covered reasons for leave to include situations where an employee or an employee’s family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses, stalking or human trafficking. The bill would also expand the … Continue Reading
Model Leave Request, Certification and Waiver Forms Issued for the New York Paid Family Leave Law
With the January 1, 2018 effective date for the New York Paid Family Leave Law fast approaching, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (“WCB”) has issued model paid family leave (“PFL”) request and certification forms, as well as a model waiver form. The forms are available on the WCB’s New York Paid Family Leave … Continue Reading
7th Circuit Holds Long-Term Leave Is Not a Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA
In a recent decision in Severson v. Heartland Woodcraft, Inc. (Sept. 20, 2017), the Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court’s ruling that an employer did not violate the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide an employee with a long-term medical leave of absence. Indeed, the court found that “a long-term leave of absence … Continue Reading
Rhode Island General Assembly Passes Paid Sick Leave Law
On September 19, 2017, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed The Health and Safe Families and Workplace Act (the “Act”), House Bill 5413B and Senate Bill 0290B, respectively, guaranteeing roughly 90 percent of the state’s workforce the opportunity to earn paid sick and safe leave. The Governor has already indicated that she will sign the … Continue Reading
