Skip to content
English
Contact us
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How does the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJ FLA) work?

Your guide to unpaid, job-protected leave for bonding and caregiving

 

Quick answer
 NJ FLA applies to employers with 15 or more employees working anywhere. Eligible employees can receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 24-month period to care for a family member with a serious health condition, bond with a new child, or handle certain public health emergency absences. Note that NJ FLA does not cover the employee's own serious health condition or military-related reasons.

Who this applies to / Prerequisites

  • Employees who work in New Jersey, have 3 months of tenure with their current employer, and have worked at least 250 hours prior to the start of leave. (Eligibility requirements were different prior to July 17, 2026.)

Key facts

  1. NJ FLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 24-month period for: caring for a family member with a serious health condition; the birth of a child (within 12 months of birth); placement of a child for adoption or foster care (within 12 months of placement); or certain absences related to public health emergencies, such as school closure or family member care.
  2. NJ FLA defines "family member" broadly: a spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, parent, parent-in-law, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, individual related by blood, or an individual with an equivalent close association.
  3. NJ FLA does not cover leave for the employee's own serious health condition, including pregnancy or childbirth, and does not cover military-related reasons.
  4. Both intermittent and reduced schedule leave are allowed when medically necessary, but neither may continue for more than 12 consecutive months for any one period of leave.
  5. A reduced schedule leave must reflect fewer days worked per week (e.g., 4 days instead of 5), not fewer hours per day, unless the employee and employer agree otherwise.
  6. NJ FLA runs concurrently with federal FMLA and NJ FLI when applicable.

What if it doesn't work

  • I need leave for my own health condition: NJ FLA does not cover this — see NJ TDI instead.
  • I need leave for a military-related reason: NJ FLA does not cover this reason.
  • My eligibility is unclear given the July 2026 rule change: Contact your Leave Success Manager to confirm which requirements apply to your situation.
  • If none of these apply, contact your Leave Success Manager (employees) or Customer Success Manager (HR teams).

Limits and exceptions

  • NJ FLA leave is unpaid.
  • NJ FLA does not cover the employee's own serious health condition or military-related leave.
  • Intermittent or reduced schedule leave cannot exceed 12 consecutive months for any one leave period.
  • Reduced schedule leave must reduce days worked per week, not hours per day, unless both parties agree otherwise.

Related questions

  • How does New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (NJ TDI) work?
  • How does New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (NJ FLI) work?