More Workplace Changes to Come In 2019 As Governor Murphy Signs Family Leave and Family Leave Insurance Expansions

Posted on Monday, March 4th, 2019.

More Workplace Changes to Come In 2019 As Governor Murphy Signs Family Leave and Family Leave Insurance Expansions

On February 19, 2019, Governor Murphy signed into law substantial expansions to the Family Leave Act and Family Leave Insurance that will afford greater benefits to New Jersey employees.  The changes will be rolled out in stages, some to be immediate, others July 1, 2019 and again in July 1, 2020.

Some of the law’s highlights:

Effective Immediately:

• • The definition of family members is greatly expanded – family members now include siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and parents-in-law, as well as others related to the employee by blood or who have a “close association with the employee” that is equivalent to a family relationship (but evidence of a family relationship must be demonstrated).
  • There is no longer a one-week waiting period before FLI benefits may be received.
  • A covered employee is now eligible for FLI while taking time off from work pursuant to the NJ Security and Financial Empowerment Act (“SAFE Act”) in order to assist a covered family member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence.

• An employer may not require, but an employee may elect, to use their benefit accrued time during the time of protected leave.

Effective June 30, 2019, New Jersey businesses employing at least 30 employees will be covered by the FLA.  This is a substantial reduction from the current 50 employee requirement.

Effective July 1, 2019 the maximum duration of FLI leave benefits will increase from 6 to 12 weeks and the weekly benefit will be increased from two-thirds of average weekly wage to 85% of an employee’s average weekly wage, capped at $859 per week.

Contact our office to get a full update on the law’s expansions and the resulting impact on your business.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Linkedin