Connecticut PFML: Private Plan Option

The first step all CT employers must take (regardless of whether or not you apply for a Private Plan) is to register as an employer on www.ctpaidleave.org. The CT Paid Leave Authority set up an easy process to apply for a Private Plan on their website.

2a) After registration on www.ctpaidleave.org, but before you apply:

Employers obtain a quote from their broker
There is some basic information that most carriers will need in order to provide your broker with a quote; and this is what ShelterPoint, specifically, will need:

• Your company’s full information, including full legal name, address, and SIC code.
• Census with employees working at your CT location(s)
  • Gender
  • Employment status (full-time, part-time, or 1099ers)
  • Age
  • Total wages
  • Include part-timers who meet the eligibility¹ requirements.
• Desired effective date

If needed, we may require additional information.

 

2b) ShelterPoint provides a proposal

At ShelterPoint, after you have accepted the proposal, we will provide:

• The Sample Policy (Final Policy to be issued after Private Plan exemption is approved by the State)
• The Plain Language Guide: ShelterPoint will work with you to provide a completed, pre-filled Plain Language Guide that you can use for employee voting and the Private Plan exemption application.

Inform your workforce about Private Plan and upcoming vote

Employers are required to inform their employees about the benefits of the Private Plan and who the Private Plan carrier will be.

Provide your employees with the following at least two weeks prior to the vote:

• A copy of the Sample Policy
• Fully completed Plain Language Guide describing the plan
• Instructions about the voting process.

Sign up here to get updated if and when new information becomes available about what to provide to your employees.

Hold a 1-question vote on the Private Plan

At least two weeks after the date of informing your workforce, you must hold a vote, which needs to be independently verifiable after the fact by the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority. The Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Authority provides a full set of guidelines employers must follow when holding this vote, which can be found here. Here are a few highlights:

• There must be an anonymous majority vote in favor of the Private Plan, i.e.:
  • 50% +1 vote of ALL employees working in Connecticut (not just of those who voted) on the employer’s payroll as of the date or time period of the vote (FT, PT and Probationary Employees)
  • In other words, not voting is like voting “No”.
  • The vote must include regular employees who are on a paid or unpaid leave of absence (such as vacation, medical, military, educational, disciplinary, etc.), they must be enabled to vote on the day of the vote.
• You can ask only one question, worded exactly as follows:
  
  “Do you approve the company’s Private Plan to provide benefits required by the CT Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act? Yes or No.”

Please be sure to read this Policy & Procedures document directly from the Connecticut Paid Family & Medical Leave Authority for full details and additional requirements regarding the employee vote.

When you apply
Apply for the Private Plan with the CT Paid Leave Authority if you obtained a majority vote

• You must already be registered with the CT Paid Family and Medical Leave Authority. Otherwise, register now at www.ctpaidleave.org.
• You will need to provide:
  • Sample Policy
  • Fully completed Plain Language Guide
  • Data about the employee vote
• During the process, you will be asked to confirm certain attestations, for example that employees were not threatened or coerced in connection with the voting process, and that the voting process was completed in compliance with the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Authority’s requirements.