Major changes to the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) will kick in this summer, thanks to a new bill signed by Phil Murphy during his last days as governor of the state. The new rules, which take effect July 17, significantly expand which employers must comply and makes it easier for employees to qualify for job-protected family leave. The rules also strengthen employee protections related to other types of leave. We’ll explain what’s changing and how employers can prepare.

Quick Background

The NJFLA allows covered employees to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave:

• to care for or bond with a new child within one year of the child’s birth or placement for adoption or foster care;
• to care for a family member (which is broadly defined) with a serious health condition; or
• during a state of emergency, to:
  • care for a family member who has been isolated or quarantined; or
  • care for a child whose school is closed due to a public health emergency.

4 Key Takeaways for Employers

Phil Murphy, the now-former governor of New Jersey, signed a bill (A3451/S2950) into law on Jan. 17 that significantly expands the NJFLA and strengthens employee rights related to other types of leave. All of these changes will take effect on July 17.

1. Smaller Businesses Will Soon Be Covered by the NJFLA

Currently, only businesses with 30 or more employees are covered by the NJFLA. The new changes reduce that threshold to 15 or more employees. When counting employees, you must include...

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