While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and similar states laws provide employees with time off to care for a new child or sick family member, the leave is typically unpaid. (To learn more about unpaid family leave, see Taking Family and Medical Leave.) And although some employers voluntarily provide paid time off for parenting and caregiving, most do not.
To address this gap in family leave law, many states—including California, Rhode Island, Washington, New Jersey, and New York—now have laws that provide paid family leave for employees who need time off to care for sick or disabled family members or a new child. Payments are less than the employee's usual salary and come from a state insurance fund, not directly from employers.
Which States Have Paid Family Leave Programs?
Some states now provide paid family and medical leave.
California Paid Family Leave (PFL) Benefits
California was the first state in the country to pass a paid family leave law.
What Is a Serious Health Condition Under the FMLA?
Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees have the right to take time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition or to recuperate from their own serious health condition, among other things.
Am I eligible for a bonus while I'm on FMLA leave?
Question: My employer offers annual bonuses to employees who meet certain work goals.