Signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2019, the Paid Family and Medical Leave program will begin collecting money from workers on Jan. 1, 2021.
Beginning on January 1 an estimated 1.7 million workers in the state of Connecticut will see a half of a percent of every paycheck go to the CT Paid Leave Authority trust fund. However, they won’t be able to access any paid leave for one year.
“I didn’t know this. I don’t think a lot of people know this. So a lot of people are going to be shocked,” Deja Reid of Hartford said.
We’re really taking the opportunity to talk to as many people as we can to let them know that paid leave is coming,” Andrea Barton Reeves, CEO of the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Authority, said.
Barton Reeves said she’s trying to get the message out about the program.
“The idea is to fund the plan in year one so that when benefits become available in 2022 there are resources to pay for those paid leave benefits,” Barton Reeves said.
Signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2019, the Paid Family and Medical Leave program will begin collecting money from workers on Jan. 1, 2021. Under the law businesses will be required to manage payroll withholdings starting in January and employees can start accessing benefits in 2022.
Benefits for those who qualify include up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for their own health, a newborn child, or a sick family member.
“We will be collecting one half of one percent of wages from employees,” Barton Reeves said.