It’s that time of year again—the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has rolled out new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) workplace posters, workplace notification forms, and rate sheets for all employers in the Commonwealth. These updated resources provide the DFML’s yearly updates to eligibility requirements, maximum wage replacement benefit amounts, and contribution amounts. Employers take note that the following changes take effect on January 1, 2023:
- Minimum earnings eligibility: PFML will cover most employees who have earned at least $6,000 over the past 4 calendar quarters. This amount is up from $5,700 in 2022.
- Wage replacement benefit amount: The new maximum weekly benefit rate is $1,129.82. This amount is up from $1,084.31 in 2022.
- Minimum employer contribution amounts: For employers with 25 or more employees, the contribution rate will be reduced from 0.68% in 2022 to 0.63% in 2023. For employers with fewer than 25 employees, the contribution rate will be reduced from 0.344% in 2022 to 0.318% in 2023.
As in the past, employers must inform employees of their rights and responsibilities under PFML, including the updated information for 2023, through workplace posters, workforce notification forms, and rate sheets.
Workplace Poster
The DFML’S updated workplace poster summarizes the PFML benefits available to employees. Employers must display the poster in a location where employees can easily read it, in English and any other language that is the primary language of five or more employees, if the translated poster is available on the DFML’s website.
Workforce Notification Forms
The updated workforce notification forms provide important detailed information about employees’ rights, obligations, and eligibility under PFML. Because PFML imposes differing obligations based on employer size, there are two separate workforce notification forms: one for employers with 25 or more employees, and one for employers with fewer than 25 employees. Employers must provide their respective form to new employees, in paper or electronic form, within thirty days of hire, and provide the employee the opportunity to accept or decline receipt.
Rate Sheets
Massachusetts employers must provide current employees with the updated rate sheets stating the 2023 PFML contribution rates. Like the workforce notification forms, there are separate rate sheets for employers with 25 or more employees and those with fewer than 25 employees. The deadline for distributing the forms was December 2, 2022, but employers that missed the deadline should provide updated rate sheets to their employees as soon as possible.
Employer Takeaways
With the new year quickly approaching, employers should:
- Display the workplace poster and distribute the rate sheets to employees as soon as possible;
- Review and update existing policies to ensure they comply with PFML’s most recent requirements;
- Confirm their payroll systems are prepared to apply the new rates; and
- Contact their employment counsel with any questions regarding implementing best practices.
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