All Connecticut Employers Are Covered by State Family and Medical Leave Act Beginning 2022

By Tanya A. Bovee, Russell N. Jarem and Sally Welch St. Onge

January 10, 2022 - JacksonLewis

Have any employees in Connecticut? Then you are covered by the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act (Connecticut FMLA).

All employers with at least one employee in Connecticut are covered by the Connecticut FMLA as of January 1, 2022.

The Connecticut FMLA has been in effect for many years. It previously covered only employers with at least 75 employees in Connecticut.

Connecticut FMLA obligations for employers with any employees in Connecticut include:

• Employees are eligible after three months of employment.
• Eligible employees are entitled 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for various covered reasons.
• Two additional weeks may be available for an incapacitating serious health condition during a pregnancy.
• If the employer is also covered by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, these leave periods may or may not run concurrently.

In addition, nearly all employees in Connecticut are eligible for paid leave benefits through the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority beginning January 1. This is a separate monetary benefit from the job-protected leave under the Connecticut FMLA.

Finally, remember that employers with at least 50 employees in Connecticut may need to comply with the Connecticut Paid Sick Leave Law, which has been in effect for years and applies to non-exempt “service workers,” as defined by the law.

(See our Disability, Leave & Health Management Blog for more on Connecticut FMLA amendments and Connecticut Paid Leave.)

Jackson Lewis attorneys will continue to track developments and provide updates. If you have any questions, contact the Jackson Lewis attorney with whom you regularly work.

©2022 Jackson Lewis P.C. This material is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute legal advice nor does it create a client-lawyer relationship between Jackson Lewis and any recipient. Recipients should consult with counsel before taking any actions based on the information contained within this material. This material may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.'s 950+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged, stable and diverse, and share our clients' goals to emphasize inclusivity and respect for the contribution of every employee. For more information, visit https://www.jacksonlewis.com.