Paid Family and Medical Leave: How It Can Work In Maine

Paid Family and Medical Leave: How It Can Work In Maine

Everyone, no matter how much they make or what they do for a living, should be able to take care of themselves or a loved one in times of illness or other crises without going into debt, risking their job or housing, or making other terrible tradeoffs.

And it doesn’t have to be that way. When we come together from Kittery to Lewiston to Fort Kent to fight for it, we can ensure that everyone who needs it can take the time to care for themselves or a loved one. That's why MPA and the Maine Women's Lobby are leading a ballot initiative to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Maine that protects everyone, and lets us all take care of ourselves and each other.

What Is Paid Family And Medical Leave?

Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) allows workers to take extended time off to deal with events that occur in all of our lives, and gives workers the flexibility and security to deal with life’s most disruptive events without jeopardizing their financial stability, employment, or health insurance. These events could include:

  • Taking care of yourself because of a serious health need, such as recovering from surgery, an accident, childbirth, or another physical or mental health condition.
  • Bonding with a new child, by birth, adoption, or fostering
  • Supporting a loved one who has a significant physical or mental health condition or an older family member who needs support
  • Preparation for and transitioning back from a family member’s military deployment
  • Taking care of immediate needs if you or a family member are a victim of domestic violence

PFML FAQs

  • Who is PFML for? PFML is for everyone, regardless of where they work, who they work for (including themselves), their immigration status, and whether they work part time, full-time, year round or seasonal jobs.
  • What does “family” mean in PFML? Family means your family by blood, by law and by affinity. We all define family differently but that shouldn’t get in the way of taking care of the people you’re closest with.
  • How long does it last, and will I have a job when I come back? You can take up to 12 weeks for any specific instance of paid leave, with a total cap of 16 weeks across multiple uses in any 12 month period. You are eligible to take paid leave on the first day of your employment. As long as you’ve been at your job for 120 days, that job or one just like it must be waiting for you when your leave ends.  
  • Who’s going to pay for this, and how much pay do people get when they take leave? Both employers and employees pay into a state fund. Overall, the contributions are split 50/50 between employers and employees - both paying 0.43% of the employee’s wages each paycheck. That works out to less than $2.50 a week or $130 a year for someone earning $30k a year. There are a few exceptions: Maine’s smallest businesses (with fewer than 15 employees) do not have to contribute employer premiums. Self-employed people only pay the employee portion. Everyone contributes according to their ability to pay, and people who have lower incomes get paid a higher percentage of their income when they claim leave. Research has shown the lowest-income workers are not able to take leave unless they’re getting most of their wages covered by the benefit.
  • Are there other states that have established PFML programs? Eleven states and Washington D.C. have passed legislation to create paid family and medical leave insurance programs, including New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
  • Isn't the Maine legislature already working on a PFML program? Yes! Maine’s Commission on Paid Family and Medical Leave began work on developing a PFML program in Maine in October of 2021, and the commission is continuing that work now. It’s possible that the legislature will pass a statewide PFML program in the coming session – but the need for a universal PFML program in Maine is too urgent to not explore all options. That’s why Maine People’s Alliance and the Maine Women’s Lobby have filed paperwork for a people’s referendum.

 

Help make paid leave a reality for Mainers, volunteer to collect signatures for this important ballot initiative today!

Click here to sign up to collect signatures for paid family and medical leave