The General Assembly returned to session this month in a virtual format and a number of bills were introduced that are noteworthy for employers.

First, SS1 for SB1, the Healthy Delaware Families Act creates a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. This latest version has undergone substantial revisions from the original bill that was introduced last year. Employers with 25 or more employees are required to provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave and up to 6 weeks paid medical and family caregiving leave. Employers with 10 or more employees but less than 25 are only required to provide up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Under current law, small businesses, those with 50 or fewer employees, are exempt from the 1993 Federal FMLA law. The bill was released from the Senate Health and Social Services Committee yesterday and awaits a full vote in the Senate. Read the full recap >

Every business needs a workforce strategy that is its own—one reflective of its work product, labor needs, community, and crucially, its culture. Perhaps more than ever, a company’s core values–– its purpose, and how it relates to its workforce and stakeholders–– are understood to be important. Read more >

As we emerge from this pandemic, we must rethink workforce development. We have an opportunity to rebuild our local economy in a way that respects our workers, brings opportunity to communities, and works in unison with our state’s businesses. We must connect individuals to training opportunities and strengthen the pathways to good paying jobs. We need to give them a job at the end of the tunnel. Read how the Delaware Workforce Development Board is adapting to meet the needs of employers >