New Jersey employers should take note of important changes to the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) that took effect on July 17, 2026. The amendments significantly expand eligibility, meaning more employers must provide job-protected family leave and more employees can qualify sooner.
Here are the key changes:
- More employers are covered. The NJFLA now applies to employers with 15 or more employees, down from the previous threshold of 30 employees.
- Employees qualify sooner. Workers are now eligible for NJFLA leave after three months of employment and 250 hours worked in the previous 12 months. Previously, employees had to work 12 months and 1,000 hours to qualify.
- Expanded job protections. The amendments also provide additional job protections for certain employees receiving New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI) or Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) benefits when other leave laws do not apply.
These updates mean many smaller employers will need to review their leave policies, employee handbooks, and HR practices to ensure they comply with the revised law.
With leave requirements continuing to evolve, staying current can help reduce compliance risks while ensuring employees receive the protections available to them.
