Updates to New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) Effective July 27, 2026 | Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Community Event

29 Apr 2026

Source: http://www.saratogabenefits.com

Key Updates:

Expanded Employer Coverage:
The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) will now apply to employers with 15 or more employees (down from 30), including out-of-state employees.
Broader Employee Eligibility:
Employees will qualify for NJFLA after just 3 months of employment and 250 hours worked, significantly increasing the number of eligible workers, including part-time and newer hires.
New Job Protection for TDI/FLI:
Employees receiving Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) or Family Leave Insurance (FLI) benefits will now be entitled to job protection, meaning they must be reinstated to the same or an equivalent role—even if the leave does not otherwise qualify under NJFLA or FMLA.
This represents a major shift, as TDI/FLI previously provided wage replacement only.
Potential for Extended Job-Protected Leave:
Because TDI/FLI eligibility is broader, employees may be entitled to up to 26 weeks of job-protected leave in certain situations.
Employee Control Over Leave Sequencing:
Employees may now choose the order in which they use earned sick leave versus TDI/FLI benefits. While they cannot receive multiple paid benefits at the same time, this change may allow leave to be taken consecutively rather than concurrently.

What This Means for Employers:

These changes will likely increase leave utilization and create additional administrative complexity. Employers should begin preparing now by:

Additional guidance from the state is expected, particularly around how these programs will interact in practice.

If you would like help reviewing your policies or preparing for these changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Bill Webb

Saratoga Benefit Services, LLC

P: 856-642-2949

C: 856-630-8398