Berger HR Solutions’ Post

Exciting News for Maryland Employees! Maryland is gearing up to introduce the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, promising a safety net for employees facing critical moments in their lives. Authored by Dennis Chong, our latest blog post delves into the details of this initiative poised to join the ranks of D.C., Delaware, and New Jersey. FAMLI, akin to state-run unemployment insurance, pledges to offer up to 12 weeks of paid leave under specific circumstances, including serious health conditions, family caregiving, and welcoming a new addition to the family. The program aims to alleviate financial burdens by providing wage replacement, with benefits of up to 90% of wages, capped at $1,000 per week. With contributions set to commence from July 2025 and benefits expected to roll out by July/August 2026, Maryland employers must prepare for this significant change. Whether opting for the State Plan or a private alternative, understanding the implications of FAMLI contributions on budgeting processes is crucial. Stay informed and ahead of the curve by reading our blog post here: https://lnkd.in/eyEh7GYi #Maryland #FAMLI #EmployeeBenefits #WorkLifeBalance #FutureOfWork

Are you working and caregiving? If so, you are not alone.  According to AARP, 53 million people are caring for a loved one and 60% of those are working out of the home. Many caregivers develop their own health challenges, depression, lose time and productivity at work, as well as much less free time. Check with your Human Resources to discuss flexible work options. Some will offer them even if there is not a formal policy. Many employers offer EAP (Employee Assistance) which includes free counseling. Some employers offer eldercare referrals, saving you the time from researching. FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) provides up to 12 months unpaid leave without losing your job or benefits. If you work in the private sector, for a company with at least 50 employees, your company is required to provide this. Seven states, with more to come, are offering paid time off through tax funded family leave insurance programs. Also there are many caregiving support groups out there, sometimes through work or you may consider starting one at work. All of this can be very overwhelming.  I see you and you matter. Please reach out for a 20 minute complimentary session if you would like some help.

https://lnkd.in/eEidhSJB Another step in the right direction. The next step is providing individuals with the ongoing support needed when they take paid leave. This is why we have launched My Care Hub initially for clients of financial advice firms. To find out more: https://lnkd.in/ewNNmmFZ #consumerduty #vulnerability #socialcare #employeebenefits

👶 Preparing Your Finances for Maternity Leave 💰 Getting ready for maternity leave involves more than just packing the hospital bag. Planning ahead can help ease financial stress during this special time. Here are a few steps to consider: ➡️Build Up Your Savings: Start setting aside funds early to cover any income gaps. ➡️Review Leave Entitlements: Understand your workplace and government leave benefits. ➡️Budget for Baby: Adjust your budget for new expenses like baby essentials and healthcare. ➡️Check Your Insurance: Ensure your health and life insurance cover your growing family. ➡️Plan Ahead: Consider how long you’ll be off work and how that impacts your finances. ➡️Update Your Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directive: Protect your family’s future with essential legal documents. A little planning goes a long way toward enjoying this precious time with peace of mind! 💕 #MaternityLeave #FinancialPlanning #FamilyFinance #EstatePlanning #holzworthpartners

AZ Business Owners, the time is upon you! PFML (Paid Family Medical Leave) is already mandated in 15 states and counting! There will be much more continued media coverage on PFML, as it is something “new” and exciting and employees/voters have been asking for paid family medical leave to be mandated for decades. If you do not already have a plan in place, or have not talked about what these programs will look like for your business in the coming 1, 5 or 10 years, then I would seriously suggest having that conversation now rather than later. It is very common, unfortunately, for businesses small and large to be out of compliance. I know of businesses that are brokered by “cash grab” brokerages currently headquartered in Phoenix with employees in other states that do not have any PFML plan in place and are most likely on the verge of an audit without knowing it. If you have yet to have this conversation, or your broker has not made it their responsibility to make sure you are staying in compliance, you should seriously start putting your business before your broker relationships 🫱🏽🫲🏾 My inbox is always open!

Explore the basics of long-term care—what it entails, its costs, and how to effectively plan for it to prevent the costs from compromising your family's well-being. https://lnkd.in/epvYyegW #RetirementPlanning #LongTermCare

It's #TipTuesday! Brian Noh provides this week’s tip to remind employers in California about upcoming changes to California’s paid family leave program that will go into effect on January 1, 2025. California's paid family leave program (PFL) is a temporary disability insurance program providing partial wage replacement benefits to workers caring for a seriously ill family member or bonding with a new child. Employers can currently require employees to use up to two weeks of accrued vacation before accessing PFL benefits paid by the state. Beginning January 1, 2025, employers will no longer be able to impose this requirement, though employees can still choose to use up their vacation time before receiving PFL benefits. Employers should review and update their policies on extended leaves, vacation, and employee contributions. #employmentlaw #California #paidfamilyleaveprogram

❓Is the modern workforce prepared to deal with the long-term effects of extended caregiving? Download our whitepaper, "The Far-Reaching Impact of Caregiving for Employees and Employers," to learn how prepared (or unprepared) employees are and what employers can do to help. #employeebenefits #insurance #insurancetrends #voluntarybenefits

🛡️ How insured are you? 🛡️ Don't overlook these two key coverages during this open enrollment season. ✅ Short-Term Disability Coverage: If you can’t work due to an injury or illness, your income doesn’t have to stop. ✅ Long-Term Disability Coverage: Partially protect your income if you're unable to work long-term. Now’s the time to make sure you have the right protections in place! 💼 Read more our latest issue, linked below. https://lnkd.in/e7-Ww8rc

Join us on May 8th for a discussion on "NJ's Mandated Benefits: TDI, FLI & Earned Sick Leave" led by Amy Vasquez, Vice President, Employers Association of New Jersey. About the program: New Jersey’s Temporary Disability Insurance Law and Family Leave Insurance Law provide for a degree of financial security in the form of monetary benefits when an employee is unable to work due to their own non-occupational disability and for certain family-related issues. Likewise, NJ’s Earned Sick Leave law requires that most employers in the state provide employees with paid sick leave. This session will provide an overview of these three laws, the benefits available to employees, and practical guidance and tips for employers as they navigate these mandated benefits. Register here--> https://buff.ly/4be1eQh #shrm #morriscountyshrm #morriscountynj #hr #humanresources #hrprofessional #humanresourcesprofessional #hrcommunity #njemployment #njemploymentlaw #familyleave #benefits #sickleave