Paid Family Leave
If the ongoing pandemic has taught us anything, it's that unexpected crises can pop up at any time to wreak havoc on our lives. When those situations arise, it's vital to be as prepared as one possibly can be.
This is why Connecticut's Paid Family and Medical Leave program, which goes into effect in 2021, will be so crucial for workers. The Paid Leave program offers workers access to paid time off for qualifying life events, including childbirth and seeking treatment for serious health conditions for themselves or their families.
The Benefits
- In most cases the state paid family leave program will provide you up to 12 weeks of paid time off and 14 weeks for certain issues during pregnancy
- This law supports and recognizes that families come in all forms. Unlike the current Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act, which limits leave to care for only close blood relatives, the new law will allow Connecticut’s workforce to take leave to care for grandparents, grandchildren, and newly adopted children. It also allows paid time off to care for those who are considered family, by virtue of their bond, such as a foster sibling or child.
- Up to 12 days of paid leave is available for those affected by domestic violence, and more paid time may be available if that person affected by domestic violence has a serious health condition for which they are seeking treatment from a health care provider.
There is some misinformation in the public sphere regarding the funding of this important social program. Some have called it a "tax." It is not a tax. Like any type of insurance, policyholders pay to receive coverage. The premiums pay for the benefit. Please note that payroll deductions are based on the frequency of your pay period, and the most you will contribute is one-half of one percent (0.5%) of your total wages. The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority has developed a contribution estimator (which you can use by clicking HERE) which can be used to determine how much will be deducted from your earnings.
Paid family and medical leave keep families together during difficult times like these and I am pleased our state has joined a growing list of states across the country to implement this program.
For additional information on this program, visit the CT Paid Leave Authority's website by clicking HERE. The CT paid Leave Authority is also hosting several informational webinars for people to better understand the program and its benefits. To look at the webinar schedule (the next one is scheduled for Monday, November 30th) and to find out how to participate, click HERE.