NJ Paid Sick Leave Law Update: Required Notice for Employers Released
Employers in New Jersey employers will be required to comply with the state’s new Paid Sick Leave Act on Oct. 29, and the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development has published both proposed regulations to implement the law and a new mandatory workplace poster.
Timeline
- The notice must be distributed to all existing employees by November 29, 2018
- The notice must be distributed to all new employees at the time of hire so it should be immediately added to New Hire Kits
- The notice must be posted in a place frequented by employees (such as a break room or communal area) by October 29, 2018
Benefit
The poster is a written notice. Employers must provide up to a total of 40 hours of earned sick leave every benefit year, with the worker accruing earned sick leave at a rate of one hour per 30 hours worked, up to a maximum benefit of 40 hours per benefit year.
Available use begins after 120 days from employment.
Cost
The program is financed by worker payroll deductions. Starting January 1, 2018, each worker contributes 0.09% of the taxable wage base. For 2018, the taxable wage base is $33,700, and the maximum yearly education for Family Leave Insurance is $30.33. The taxable wage base changes each year.
Claim Events
Acceptable reasons to use earned sick leave:
- The worker needs diagnosis, care, treatment, or recovery for a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition, or he/she needs preventive medical care.
- The worker needs to care for a family member during diagnosis, care, treatment, or recovery for a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition, or the family member needs preventive medical care.
- The worker or a family member has been the victim of domestic violence or sexual violence and needs time for treatment, counseling, or to prepare for legal proceedings.
- The worker needs to attend school-related conferences, meetings, or events regarding his/her child’s education or to attend a school-related meeting regarding a child’s health.
- The worker’s business closes due to a public health emergency or he/she needs to care for a child whose school or child care provider closed due to a public health emergency.
Click here for the employer notice. NJ Paid Sick Leave Law mw565sickleaveposter
Applying for Benefits
You can apply online for Family Leave Insurance benefits:
- At www.nj.gov/labor/fli2
- Download an application (DS-1) and mail to: Division of Temporary Disability Insurance PO Box 387, Trenton, NJ 08625-0387 or fax to (609) 984-4138 Request an application by phone (Customer Service Section): (609) 292-70
The information provided herein is not written or intended as tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Entities or persons distributing this information are not authorized to give tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to seek specific advice from their personal tax or legal counsel.