Legislative Memo

PFL Unemployment Rating (S.1113/A.2547) | 2019

May 10th, 2019

AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to the calculation of the experience rating charge of certain employers for purposes of contributions to the state unemployment insurance fund

S.1113 (Amedore) / A.2547 (Fahy)

MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT

Unshackle Upstate, a non-partisan, pro-taxpayer, pro-economic growth, education and advocacy coalition made up of business and trade organizations from all parts of Upstate New York, supports this legislation.

This legislation provides clarity to an issue with the enacted paid family leave mandate. The current mandate failed to address the effect on an employer’s unemployment experience rating when a claimant’s employment ends as the result of the return of another employee after taking paid family leave. The bill protects a business owner from being penalized when this situation occurs.

This legislation provides much needed guidance to one of the many issues employers face when navigating the paid family leave program.

For these reasons, we strongly support the enactment of this legislation.