Complying with Paid Leave

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

December 16, 2024

With 2025 quickly approaching, many businesses across Delaware need to take steps to comply with the initial setup of the Paid Family Leave Act (PFLA).

The summary of where this stands is the following: 2025 is the year the financing piece of the new law takes effect, and 2026 is the year when benefits are eligible for payment. Like any program of this scope, there will inevitably be challenges for some in the business community and the Department of Labor.

Participating in Delaware Paid Leave is mandatory for most businesses with 10 or more employees working in Delaware.

9 or fewer employees: Exempt
10 to 24 employees: Parental Leave Only
25 or more employees: Full Coverage
Federal government employees: Exempt
Seasonal operations that shut down for a month or more: Exempt

If you need more information about your responsibilities under the law, please refer to the Delaware Department of Labor for questions.

A helpful resource to start with is this short, ten-minute Conversations with Kelly podcast “minisode” that explains many of the program deadlines and basics. In this video, my colleague Kelly Basile interviews Chris Counihan of the Delaware Department of Labor to share the foundational elements of the Delaware PFLA. Watch the video >

As we approach the end of the year, let me thank all of you—our members—for another great year. We have a new strategic plan that kicks off in the new year and much more! My best to you and yours this holiday season, and if you are traveling, go safely. This will be the last President’s Message for the year, so I look forward to sharing news again in early January!

News You Can Use

This is always an interesting time of year as some businesses wind things down and employees prepare for an end-of-year break of sorts, while other businesses in the retail, hospitality, travel, and other industries are going nuts! With that in mind, here is the upcoming schedule for key economic data. On Tuesday, we will see November results for U.S. retail sales and industrial production. Wednesday brings us November housing starts and building permits, as well as the all-important FOMC interest rate decision, followed by remarks from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey is out on Thursday, as are November results for U.S. leading economic indicators and existing home sales. We close the week on Friday with personal income numbers for November and personal spending figures.

Not surprisingly, this is a light week for companies with earnings calls. The only calls of note are on Wednesday with General Mills, Toro, Lennar, Steelcase, and Micron Technology. Thursday’s calls include Accenture, CarMax, Conagra, Darden Restaurants, FedEx, and Nike.

Michael J. Quaranta

President

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

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