10.16.24 – APFA BOS Base Brief – Understanding MA PFML Benefits/APFA BOD Fall Meeting

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

We hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful fall foliage. BOS APFA has been receiving several inquiries regarding MA PFML and FMLA. We have included descriptions and links for both leaves below.

Unlock Your Benefits: Understanding MA PFML Benefits

What is MA PFML?
The Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program offers paid time off for several important life events.

Qualifying reasons are:

• Caring for your own serious health condition as certified by a health care provider, including illness, injury, or pregnancy/childbirth (up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave)
• Caring for a family member with a serious health condition as certified by a health care provider, including illness, injury, or pregnancy/childbirth (up to 12 weeks of paid family leave)
• Bonding with your child during the first 12 months after birth, adoption, or placement (up to 12 weeks of paid family leave)
• Caring for a family member who was injured serving in the armed forces (up to 26 weeks of paid family leave)
• Managing affairs while a family member is on active duty (up to 12 weeks of paid family leave)

The program provides wage replacement based on your average weekly earnings, ensuring financial support during your leave.

Am I eligible for MA PFML?

The PFML law covers most Massachusetts employees who have met the minimum earnings requirement established annually by the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) during the last 4 completed calendar quarters.

How is MA PFML different than FMLA?

• MA PFML: Provides paid leave for personal or family health needs, bonding with a new child, or military family leave. You can receive up to 26 weeks of leave, with wage replacement based on average weekly wages. Eligibility is based on earning at least $5,700 in the past year.
• FMLA: Offers unpaid leave for up to 12 weeks and requires 12 months of employment. It doesn’t provide wage replacement but ensures job protection and health coverage.

Both programs protect job security, but PFML provides financial support, while FMLA does not. At American, while on MA PFML, FMLA will run concurrently. Only the state paperwork is required to be submitted directly from your upload onto the Absence Tracker. FMLA paperwork is not a requirement when applying for MA PFML.

Basic steps to apply for Medical Leave with MA PFML:

1. Ask your doctor to complete the required forms at this link and return them to you.
2. Create a profile on Mass.gov and submit the completed forms.
3. Open a new case in Absence Tracker and upload the paperwork filled out by your doctor for the MA PFML application by clicking “add attachments”.

To access the absence tracker, use this path: Jetnet > Team Member Services > Inflight > Request New Case

For more details, click here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact [email protected] or your local Boston reps.

More information about FMLA can be found on Jetnet.

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APFA Board of Directors (BOD) Fall Meeting

Nicole and I will be at the APFA BOD Fall Meeting this week. Should you need assistance from BOS APFA during this time, the best way to reach us is via a group email and/or text. Our email addresses and phone numbers are listed below.

Come see your Union in action. The APFA Fall BOD Meeting is October 16-17 at APA Headquarters in Euless, TX. All members in good standing are welcome to attend the open portions of the meeting.

In Solidarity,

Kelli Powers   Pronouns: she/her/hers
APFA BOS Base President
[email protected]
(603) 661-5297

Nicole Tennenbaum   Pronouns: she/her/hers
APFA BOS Vice President
[email protected]
(727) 600-0141

Devyn Gourley   Pronouns: he/him/his
Regional Representative 
[email protected]
(316) 409-3474