2 (5/31/22)
Employees may also take up to 12 days of leave to deal with the effects of family violence separate from leave time available under state or
federal law. While this is not protected under CTFMLA, it is protected under the Connecticut Family Violence Leave Act and an employee can
apply for CTPL in connection with these absences.
Leave does not have to be taken all at once. Employees may take leave intermittently (in separate blocks of time) or to reduce their work
schedule.
CTFMLA leave is unpaid. However, an employer may require, or an employee may request to use their accrued, paid time off. An employee may
choose to preserve up to 2 weeks of their accrued, paid time off. This accrued, paid time off is in addition to the income-replacement benefits
available to employees under CTPL.
APPLYING FOR INCOME-REPLACEMENT BENEFITS UNDER CTPL
Wage replacement benefits under the CTPL may also be available for CTFMLA absences. More information about Connecticut’s Paid Leave
program and instructions for how to apply are available at https://ctpaidleave.org/.
Some employers have received approval from the CT Paid Leave Authority to provide CTPL benefits to their employees through an approved
private plan instead of through the state’s CTPL program. Employers that have approved private plans are required to notify their employees
how to file claims for benefits through their private plan and who the employees can contact for answers to questions about their plan. CTPL
benefits are available for up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period, with an additional two weeks available to an employee for incapacity or medical
treatment during pregnancy. Benefits are limited to 12 days for leave to deal with the effects of family violence.
EMPLOYER NOTIFICATION FOR CTFMLA LEAVE
Employees should provide at least 30-days advance notice to their employer of the need to take CTFMLA leave if they can. If they are unable to
because they do not know they need leave, the employee must provide notice as soon as they can. An employer may require a medical
certification to support a request for leave.
WHAT IS PROHIBITED?
The CTFMLA prohibits employers from:
- Interfering with or denying any rights provided by the CTFMLA or CTPL. Examples include, but are not limited to, improperly refusing to
grant CTFMLA leave or discouraging employees from using CTFMLA leave or applying for CTPL benefits.
- Disciplining, terminating, discriminating against, or retaliating against any individual for taking CTFMLA leave or applying for CTPL
benefits, for opposing or complaining about any unlawful practice, or being involved in any proceeding related to the CTFMLA.
If you believe that your CTFMLA rights have been violated, you can either file a complaint directly in Superior Court or with the Connecticut
Department of Labor.