In recent years, there have been significant changes in employee leave laws at the state level as states continue to pass and expand leave laws. As leave entitlements expand, numerous leave law trends have emerged.
In particular, states have implemented new paid sick leave (PSL) and paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs. Other states have updated their PSL and PFML laws to stay current with the provisions of the newer laws. Other significant trends include state PSL ballot measures, expanded reasons for leave, expanded definitions of “family member,” and the redesigning of state PFML laws to work with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Another particularly interesting trend has been the emergence of voluntary paid family leave insurance programs.
At the federal level, employers should be aware that federal courts are increasingly ruling that the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) requires employers to provide paid leave for military service if they compensate employees for comparable leaves. Our Compliance Overview highlights key leave law trends employers may continue to encounter in the future – click here to read the overview: 2025 Employee Leave Trends.
