New Jersey Maternity Leave Laws
Three state specific New Jersey maternity leave laws combine to provide certain working women up to 18 weeks of partially paid, job protected leave for normal pregnancy. Your partially paid, job protected leave may last up to 24 weeks if pregnancy complications cause you to miss work prior to delivery. In this scenario the Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) becomes important.
These maternity leave laws do not apply to every resident or worker. The regulations apply to employers by size, and residents who commute out of state are not covered. Your partial pay may continue longer than your job protection benefits. - Paid Family Leave - PARTIAL pay to bond with baby
- Family Medical Leave (NJFMLA) - Job protection during YOUR disability
- Temporary Disability - Partial pay for YOUR disability
- Federal FMLA - Job protection while CARING for your infant
- NJ Short Term Disability - EXTRA pay while on away from work
Maternity Leave Laws in NJ
NJ Paid Family Leave The New Jersey Paid Family Leave Act allows for 6 weeks of partially paid leave to bond with your baby and/or care for a sick family member. You can claim NJ Family Leave Insurance benefits to bond with a newborn child during the first 12 months after the child’s birth. You, your spouse, your domestic partner or your civil union partner must be the biological parent of the child.
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NJ Family Leave Act The New Jersey Family Leave Act applies to employers over 50 employees anywhere worldwide. It allows for 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 24 month period. Unlike the federal law it does not apply to an employees own disability - something important to keep in mind for pregnancy and maternity situations.
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Additional NJ Maternity Leave Benefits
NJ Temporary Disability NJ Temporary Disability Insurance is the engine that drives partial income replacement during any pregnancy bed rest, maternity leave, and while you are bonding with your baby. It provides 2/3 income replacement up to a hard dollar cap. The weekly payment cap changes at the beginning of each year.
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Federal FMLA An important distinction exists between the New Jersey and Federal versions of this regulation. It comes into play when mom experiences complications of pregnancy and misses work prior to delivery. The Federal Law applies to leave to take care of a family member, while the NJ version applies only to your own disability. Extend your job protected leave by using the state law prior to delivery, and the federal regulation after.
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NJ Short Term Disability: Extra Maternity Benefits 24 weeks is a long time to cover expenses with a 1/3 pay cut or more. Depending upon your employer size, you may not have a job once you are ready to return to work. Don't take chances. Buy extra disability coverage before getting pregnant and increase your maternity leave benefit.
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