New York Must Not Over Burden Large Employers With New Paid Leave Rules

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) submitted comments to the State of New York Workers’ Compensation Board on proposed rules to the state’s paid family leave program.

As the only national association that advocates exclusively for large employers on health, retirement, and compensation public policies at the state, federal, and local levels, ERIC and its members –the nation’s largest employers –have a strong interest in proposals that would affect its members’ ability to provide quality and uniform paid leave benefits.

In its comments, ERIC asked the Board to:

  • Allow employers who offer paid family leave flexibility in deciding whether their policies cover workers other than full-time employees.
  • Provide a definition of “family member” that more closely mirrors the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and give the employer the power to decide whether to expand the list of family members for whom an employee may take leave.
  • Add “physical proximity” to the language regarding the requirement that employees be in close and continuing proximity to the care recipient. This would exclude electronic means.
  • Encourage the Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services to release community rates for premiums earlier than the June 1, 2017 deadline, so as to allow employers time to implement the paid family leave program.

“Large employers who provide paid leave benefits to their employees should not be burdened with additional and excessive administrative, compliance, and reporting requirements if their own leave policies already satisfy or exceed the purpose behind the new state law,” said Will Hansen, Senior Vice President of Retirement and Compensation Policy, ERIC. “ERIC hopes our comments will help the Board craft clear rules that guide employers, but do not impact their ability to continue to offer these generous benefits.”

Click here to read ERIC’s comments.

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All media inquiries to The ERISA Industry Committee should be directed to media@eric.org.

About The ERISA Industry Committee
ERIC is a national advocacy organization that exclusively represents large employers that provide health, retirement, paid leave, and other benefits to their nationwide workforces. With member companies that are leaders in every sector of the economy, ERIC advocates on the federal, state, and local levels for policies that promote flexibility and uniformity in the administration of their employee benefit plans.