New York State will have one of the most comprehensive paid family leave programs in the country starting on January 1, 2018, and all private sector employers, like the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York and the individual parishes of the diocese, have begun preparing for the change. The Paid Family Leave program is relevant to all lay employees of the diocese and parishes.
The Empire State will join California, New Jersey and Rhode Island in offering paid family leave that is funded through employee payroll taxes and administered by their disability carrier.
While the final regulations for New York’s program are still undergoing final development, there are guidelines currently available based on the proposed regulations (see resources below).
For now, employers like the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York and the individual parishes of the diocese are reviewing their policies, talking to their payroll providers and initiating payroll deductions for the fund so as to assure the appropriate processes are in place for January 1, 2018.
Resources
- NYS Paid Family Leave: Information for Employees : please download and share this information with your parish’s lay employees.
- Information for employers (New York State website)
- Information for employees including how to apply for benefits (New York State website)
- Paid Family Leave Forms (New York State website): Includes coverage and waiver forms as well as certification forms for employees wishing to use their Paid Family Leave benefits.
Parish leaders, please contact Cathy Hobart, Diocesan Controller, for assistance and questions.
