Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (the 'Department') updated Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MAPFML) program resources for employers and employees to provide additional guidance and clarifications through frequently asked questions and other online publications. The updated guidance describes how employers' paid leaves and MAPFML benefits coordinate, and how employees can check the status of their PFML payments and report other leave(s) and income on their MAPFML application forms.
Additionally, the Department added a site to explain what employers need to consider if they decide to switch between private plans and PFML state-based program, including the impact on employee leaves during the transition.
With the newly updated guidance, employers who have at least one employee working in Massachusetts should review these updated resources and consider their obligations to comply with MAPFML, including tracking MAPFML leaves and benefits along with other leaves (e.g., the federal FMLA and employer's PTO, STD/LTD and parental leaves). Moreover, employers should consider how best to inform their employees of their rights under MAPFML. Lastly, covered employers who participate in the MAPFML state-based program should collect the employees' contributions through payrolls accurately, and remit the total premiums and report quarterly to the Department via MassTaxConnect. For further information, please refer to the state's site here.
The updated MAPFML publications:
Switching Between Private Plans and PFML »
PFML Frequently Asked Questions for Employers »
Using the Employer Leave Administrator Dashboard for PFML Applications »
PFML Workforce Notifications and Rate Sheet for Massachusetts Employers »