GNYADA May 2017 Newsletter

New York’s New Paid Family Leave What Dealers Need to Know

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Starting January 1, 2018, employees in New York State will be eligible for Paid Family Leave Benefits (PFLB); dealers need to start preparing now. Employers that fail to comply with the PFLB law requirements may face penalties that include fines and imprisonment. Set up a Coverage Plan: Employers are not responsible for contributing to or funding paid family leave benefits. Paid family leave coverage will be included under the dealer’s New York State disability policy. The premium Employers will need to deduct the appropriate amounts from employee paychecks to fund PFLB premiums, which they may begin doing on July 1, 2017. The state expects to announce the maximum employee contribution rate around the same time. Review Policies: Employers are advised to review existing paid time off, leaves of absence and family and medical leave policies, which may will be fully funded through employee payroll deductions.

An employer must maintain an employee’s group health plan benefits for the duration of leave as if the employee had continued to work. Additionally, while an employee may not lose any benefits accrued during employment prior to taking family leave, (s)he does not accrue benefits during leave. Notify Employees: Employers should provide written notice to employees, about all employee rights and obligations under PFLB law and how to file a PFLB leave claim. Employers will be required to post a notice about the PFLB law in the workplace. The GNYADA Employee Relations Plan (ERP) Model Handbook will be updated to incorporate the requirements of New York's Paid Family Leave Law. In the meantime, dealers can contact the GNYADA Insurance Brokerage (718.746.8100), for additional infor- mation on preparing for these benefit offerings.

need to be revised to comply with the new law if they do not provide at least equal benefits. Who Is Eligible? In order to be eligible, an employee must work full-time for at least 26 consecutive weeks or part-time for 175 days in a 52 week period. How Can PFLB Leave Be Used? An employee can take PFLB leave at once or intermittently: To care for a family member with a serious health condition; To spend time with a new child during the first twelve months after birth or adoption; To address needs arising out of a family member’s active military service. What Is Included? During the phase-in of the PFLB law, the number of available weeks and maximum pay available will increase yearly. An employee who takes PFLB leave must be reinstated to his/her original position, or a comparable position with equal pay, upon returning to work. n n n

Obtain Expanded Disability Coverage Through GNYADA

GNYADA NOW HAS A SOLUT I ON The GNYADA Insurance Brokerage now offers an enhanced DBL program through ARCH Insurance, an A+ rated company. Participating dealerships can provide employees with: A benefit of either 50% of average weekly wages for 26 weeks or 60% for 52 weeks. A choice of higher weekly benefit: $170, $255, $340, $425, $510, $680 or $850 per week. Dealerships with under 50 employees have monthly rates as low as $1.98 for male employees or $4.48 for female employees. To learn more, contact the Brokerage at 718.746.8100. n n

The GNYADA Insurance Brokerage offers a new disability coverage program that allows members to provide employees with much needed additional security.

All NY businesses are required to offer disability programs that cover NYS’s “Statutory DBL Benefits”. These benefits provide 50% of average weekly wages up to a maximum of $170 per week for up to 26 weeks, after a 7-day elimination period. That $17O weekly maximum is also tax- able. This equates to $736.67 a month for an individual on disability, which frequently fails to meet all the incurred expenses (doctor visits, prescriptions, etc.), particularly in a high-cost-of-living area like NY.

Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association • www.gnyada.com

The Newsletter • May 2017

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