86 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofi t Organizations
those mandated by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The com-
mission has proposed that businesses with four or more employees offer
twelve weeks of unpaid maternity leave to pregnant employees regardless
of how long they have worked for the employer. To see if the law was
adopted go to http://www.crc.ohio.gov/ocrc_news.htm.
New Jersey
Beginning January 1, 2009, New Jersey workers taking family leave to
look after spouses, children, or parents will receive two - thirds of their
wages up to $ 524 a week for as many as six weeks per year. The benefi ts
will be funded by employee payroll deductions dispersed from a state -
administered account. The legislature estimated that the plan, which will
cost workers $ 33 a year, will be used by thirty - eight thousand employees,
or 1 percent of the state ’ s workforce.
Questions
- Do you support the laws outlined here? Provide an explanation. Are
there any changes you would make? If so, what are they? - What are some other state laws or commission rulings that you
are familiar with that go beyond the federal laws discussed in this
chapter?