Under existing law, school employees in Connecticut are generally eligible for federal unpaid family and medical leave (“FMLA”), but they have generally not been eligible for paid leave under Connecticut law. Effective October 1, 2025, the Connecticut law will apply to employees of a public school operator or a nonpublic elementary or secondary school in a position that does not require professional certification under Chapter 166 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Under the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave Act, most employees are entitled to job-protected leave for specified reasons if they have worked for the employer for the three months immediately preceding the request for leave. In the case of a school employee, the employee must have been employed by the employer for at least three months during the previous 12-month period.
The legislation directs the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority to establish a method of determining base weekly earnings for school employees for purposes of partial income replacement while the employee is on leave.
Administering family and medical leave under federal and state law can be complicated, as employees may be eligible for leave under one law while not meeting eligibility requirements under the other law. Our attorneys can help train your staff to ensure compliance with all applicable state and