Be in the Know: New Rules on Leave

Covered employers

All employers are covered.

Coverage options

State plan or state-approved private plan

Cost

Paid medical leave:

• Employee: 0.47% of $138,200 taxable wages. (Changes to .14% of $151,900 in 2022).
• Employer: Rate varies from 0.1% to 0.75% with $36,200 (Changes to $39,800 in 2022) wage cap

Paid family leave:

• 0.28% (Changes to .14% of the taxable wage base in 2022) of $138,200 (Changes to $151,900 in 2022) taxable wages (100% employee funded)

Employer funds the additional cost of the private plan above the employee maximums. The employer can pay all or part of the employee contribution.

Employee eligibility

At least 20 weeks in which the worker has covered New Jersey earnings of $220 (Changes to $240 in 2022), or the worker has earned at least $11,000 (Changes to $12,000 in 2022) in covered New Jersey earnings in the base year

Leave reasons

To care for an ill family member, your own illness/injury, bonding/parental leave, reasons related to a family member called to active duty.

Job protection

NJ PML and PFL is not job protected. Job protection may be provided through the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJ FLA).

Other protections and provisions

Employees may elect to use (employer cannot require) available vacation/ PTO at 100% pay before using PFL benefits.

Leave for bonding must be taken in increments of 1 day or more.

Benefits

• 85% of average weekly wage to $903 (Changes to $993 in 2022) maximum weekly benefit
• Paid medical leave: 26 weeks maximum but capped at one-third base year wages. 7-day waiting period
• Paid family leave: 12 weeks maximum but capped at one-third base year wages. No waiting period