Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave Releases New Model Notices and Poster

By John Gannon - Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.

November 21, 2022

As many readers are aware, the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law requires employers to provide notice to all employees about the state’s PFML program.  This includes information about contributions, benefits, and protections.  When there are changes to contribution rates, a new notice is required.  The notice must be provided to current employees 30 days in advance of any rate change.  For new hires, the notice must be provided within 30 days of their start date.  Employers are also required to display a workplace poster that explains the benefits available to their workforce.

As we reported previously, the PFML contribution rate is decreasing for most employers.  The rate change is effective as of January 1, 2023.  This means employers must provide a new PFML notice to current employees on or before December 2, 2022.

Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave released its updated model notices.  (The 2023 notice for for workforces with 25 or more covered individuals is here, and the 2023 notice for workforces with fewer than 25 covered individuals is here). Employers should plan to roll this new notice out as soon as possible, and definitely on or before December 2.  Employers should also ensure that their payroll providers are planning to implement this change.

The Department also updated the mandatory workplace poster.  This should be posted in a location where it can be easily read. The poster must be available in English and each language which is the primary language of 5 or more individuals in your workforce, if these translations are available from the Department.

www.skoler-abbott.com