Latest news with #PFML
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Muffin thief or target of retaliation because of her disability? MGM cocktail server sues after firing
SPRINGFIELD — A former cocktail server at MGM Springfield says she was targeted for abuse, retaliation, accusations of theft of a muffin and ultimately fired, all because she was living and working with multiple sclerosis. The MS diagnosis meant Jean Braga, now of Wethersfield, Connecticut, could only work four days out of a seven-day week and had to cut shifts short, leaving by 7 p.m., according to a suit filed last week in Hampden Superior Court in Springfield. MS breaks down the protective covering of nerves, often causing numbness, weakness, problems with walking and vision, and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the suit, Braga names Blue Tarp Redevelopment Corp., doing business as MGM Springfield, and Braga's supervisor, Allison Brown, as defendants. Braga started with MGM in 2018 and was terminated Feb. 8, 2024. MGM will not comment on pending litigation, spokesperson Beth Ward said Tuesday. Braga asks the court for triple past and future lost pay, in accordance with state employment law, with damages for past and future emotional distress, as well as punitive damages. She also asks for her employment back. Braga's lawyer, Justin M. Murphy of Boston, didn't return calls for comment. Muffins, fruit and other food were set out in a break room for employees to enjoy, and the lawsuit relates anecdotes of workers filling bags and backpacks. The suit says no one was terminated or even corrected for taking the free food, except for Braga and others who also had work accommodations under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. An unnamed MGM co-worker is quoted in the suit as saying: 'During pre-shift, our managers would say to other servers, 'We have to see what Jeanie (Braga) is going to do before we send servers home.' They would be upset that Jeanie would leave at 7 p.m. most days using PFML as she has a medical condition. Putting Jeanie's medical condition out there and her use of benefits was inappropriate to say the least.' A bar manager is quoted in the suit as saying: 'Brown would constantly complain about Braga using her PFML, stating how it would 'ruin the night' or 'mess up the floor.' There were times before the team update (Brown) would want to make bets on if Braga was going to use her PFML or not on that shift.' PFML, passed in 2021, provides flexibility in how employees schedule their leave to deal with their medical condition or issues faced by family members. Workers can take the leave all at once or a few days at a time per week, according to the state. As years pile on, investors who bought into dream of the Scuderi engine get anxious Veterans cemetery in Agawam draws families honoring Memorial Day tradition CDC: Lead from phone lines is highly concentrated in Springfield manhole muck Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Forget the motherhood medals — Maine parents need real support
"Parents don't need platitudes. They need paid leave, child care they can afford, and food on the table," writes James Myall of the Maine Center for Economic Policy. (Photo by Maskot/ Getty Images) President Donald Trump's team is reportedly seeking ways to encourage Americans to have more children. They've looked at everything from baby bonuses to motherhood medals. Yet at the same time, policies perused by the president and his fellow Republicans are making life for parents harder and more expensive. Pronatalism can be a problematic idea, and it's debatable how much we actually need to increase birth rates. But we should all be able to agree on making kids' lives more fulfilling and parents' jobs a little easier. Here are some places to start. Instead of imposing tariffs that will raise the cost of everything from kids' clothes to strollers, Republicans could give parents a helping hand by expanding the child tax credit. When the credit was expanded nationally in 2021, the number of children living in poverty in Maine was cut in half. As they consider a new tax bill this year, lawmakers in Washington could repeat that success. Closer to home, lawmakers in Augusta are considering a smaller but meaningful change to the state level credit, increasing the amount for the most vulnerable kids in our state. Instead of submitting a dozen bills to repeal or weaken Maine's new paid family and medical leave program, Republicans could support the initiative which will allow thousands of Maine parents each year to take time off for childbirth or to care for a sick kid. PFML makes for healthier kids and allows parents (especially moms) to continue participating in the labor force. Instead of cheering on the president's illegal withholding of funds for school meals, and food banks, Maine Republicans could be working to ensure state funding replaces lost federal funds that help the one in five Maine families with kids at risk of going hungry. They could also urge their congressional colleagues not to cut more than a fifth of the funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, in which a third of Maine participating households have children. Republicans could also fight to protect health care coverage for Maine kids and parents. Expanding Medicaid coverage has restored coverage to 11,000 parents that lost their eligibility under former Governor Paul LePage's cuts, but Republicans in Congress are putting that at risk with multiple plans to slash Medicaid funding at the federal level. State lawmakers could also support parents by funding child care programs and supporting child care workers. Trump has targeted the Head Start program for cuts, so far withholding $1 billion from states across the country. In Maine, Governor Janet Mills's budget proposes reducing state support for the program, while also cutting wages for child care workers. Instead of taking away this crucial support for parents, lawmakers can strengthen it, ensuring that workers are paid fairly while keeping programs affordable for parents. As any parent will tell you, raising kids is hard. But it's not difficult to see ways to at least make parenting — and childhood — a bit easier. If Republicans want more babies, they should stop punishing the parents who already have them. Parents don't need platitudes. They need paid leave, child care they can afford, and food on the table. If politicians can't deliver that, they should stop pretending to care about families at all. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ShelterPoint Becomes Approved Provider for PFML Coverage in Minnesota
GARDEN CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company ('ShelterPoint'), a leader in statutory Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs, today announced its approval by the State of Minnesota as a private plan provider. This strategic market entry follows ShelterPoint's recent acquisition by Protective Life Corporation and strengthens the company's position as a leading provider in the rapidly growing PFML market across the United States. Leading Paid Family and Medical Leave specialist expands market presence as state programs continue to grow nationwide Share Minnesota employers will be required to provide PFML coverage beginning January 1, 2026. ShelterPoint's early market entry gives Minnesota businesses a crucial head start on compliance planning through private plan options. "Minnesota represents a significant opportunity to continue our mission of protecting more people during life's critical moments," said Leston Welsh, SVP and President of Protective's Employee Benefits Division (ShelterPoint). "As an approved carrier to offer private PFML coverage in Minnesota, we're leveraging our deep expertise in statutory benefits to help employers navigate this new requirement. Our specialized experience allows us to provide Minnesotans with the guidance and solutions they need to comply with confidence." ShelterPoint's Minnesota offering will provide the statutory coverage required under the state's program, which grants eligible employees up to 20 weeks of combined leave annually for qualifying family and medical events, including bonding with a new child, caring for family members with serious health conditions, addressing personal medical needs and safety leave. Minnesota joins two other states—Delaware and Maine—that are implementing PFML programs starting in 2026, with Maryland expecting to follow in January 2028. With these additions, a total of 13 states will have mandated PFML-type programs in effect by mid-2026. Private plans have emerged as an important alternative to state-sponsored PFML plans, offering employers more flexibility and potentially more favorable pricing while still meeting all statutory requirements. With quoting already available, ShelterPoint is positioned to help Minnesota employers understand their options well ahead of the state's private plan application process, which is expected to open in July 2025. Employers seeking to learn more about Minnesota's PFML requirements and private plan options can visit for details and sign up for updates on program milestones and regulatory developments. About ShelterPoint The ShelterPoint family of companies consists of ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company (principal office in Garden City, NY) and its wholly owned subsidiary, ShelterPoint Insurance Company (a FL-domiciled carrier). These companies operate under the "ShelterPoint" name strictly as a marketing name, and no legal significance is expressed or implied. ShelterPoint's holding company, ShelterPoint Group, Inc., is not a licensed insurance entity. ShelterPoint specializes in statutory benefit programs in the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) space in a growing number of states. For more information about ShelterPoint, please visit About Protective Protective Life Corporation has helped people achieve protection and security in their lives for 118 years. Through its subsidiaries, Protective offers life insurance, annuity, asset protection and employee benefit solutions. Protective's more than 3,500 employees put people first and deliver on the company's promises to customers, partners, colleagues and communities - because we're all protectors. With a long-term focus, financial stability and commitment to doing the right thing, Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., has $125 billion in assets, as of Dec. 31, 2024. Protective is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and is supported by a robust virtual workforce and core sites in the greater Cincinnati area, St. Louis and Garden City, N.Y. For more information about Protective, visit
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ShelterPoint Becomes Approved Provider for PFML Coverage in Minnesota
Leading Paid Family and Medical Leave specialist expands market presence as state programs continue to grow nationwide GARDEN CITY, N.Y., May 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ShelterPoint Life Insurance Company ("ShelterPoint"), a leader in statutory Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs, today announced its approval by the State of Minnesota as a private plan provider. This strategic market entry follows ShelterPoint's recent acquisition by Protective Life Corporation and strengthens the company's position as a leading provider in the rapidly growing PFML market across the United States. Minnesota employers will be required to provide PFML coverage beginning January 1, 2026. ShelterPoint's early market entry gives Minnesota businesses a crucial head start on compliance planning through private plan options. "Minnesota represents a significant opportunity to continue our mission of protecting more people during life's critical moments," said Leston Welsh, SVP and President of Protective's Employee Benefits Division (ShelterPoint). "As an approved carrier to offer private PFML coverage in Minnesota, we're leveraging our deep expertise in statutory benefits to help employers navigate this new requirement. Our specialized experience allows us to provide Minnesotans with the guidance and solutions they need to comply with confidence." ShelterPoint's Minnesota offering will provide the statutory coverage required under the state's program, which grants eligible employees up to 20 weeks of combined leave annually for qualifying family and medical events, including bonding with a new child, caring for family members with serious health conditions, addressing personal medical needs and safety leave. Minnesota joins two other states—Delaware and Maine—that are implementing PFML programs starting in 2026, with Maryland expecting to follow in January 2028. With these additions, a total of 13 states will have mandated PFML-type programs in effect by mid-2026. Private plans have emerged as an important alternative to state-sponsored PFML plans, offering employers more flexibility and potentially more favorable pricing while still meeting all statutory requirements. With quoting already available, ShelterPoint is positioned to help Minnesota employers understand their options well ahead of the state's private plan application process, which is expected to open in July 2025. Employers seeking to learn more about Minnesota's PFML requirements and private plan options can visit for details and sign up for updates on program milestones and regulatory developments.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maine's new paid family leave law faces several efforts to hamstring program
Apr. 23—Maine legislators heard testimony on more than a dozen bills Wednesday aimed at amending, delaying or outright repealing the state's fledgling paid family and medical leave program. As business leaders prepared for a slate of afternoon hearings before the Legislature's labor committee, the broad-based Maine Paid Family Leave Coalition held a noontime rally outside the State House to defend the program against what coalition members say are attempts to destroy it. In January, the state started collecting a new 1% payroll tax, split evenly between employers and employees, to build up a revenue reserve before benefits become available May 1, 2026. Maine was the 13th state to adopt this kind of law. Approved by the Legislature in 2023, the program's rules and regulations took more than a year to develop, and not everyone is pleased with the outcome — especially Maine's business owners. Ten bills sponsored by Republicans would address their concerns, including LD 1249 — which would delay the launch of benefits to July 1, 2027 — and LD 1169 and LD 1307, which would refund employers who already offer equivalent or superior private plans. LD 406 and LD 539 would repeal the program entirely, with sponsors questioning nearly every aspect of the program's administration, funding and benefits. In presenting LD 406, Rep. Joshua Morris, R-Turner, was one of several legislators who questioned the solvency of the program and whether funding will be able to meet demand. "There's going to be great incentive for employees to want to use it," Morris told the committee. Among other Republican-sponsored bills, LD 1273 would make the program voluntary; LD 952 would exempt agricultural employers and workers; and LD 1400 would exempt certain school districts from the program. Also, LD 1333 calls for numerous adjustments, such as requiring a 120-day employment period before accessing benefits, while LD 1221 calls for a constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of program funds for any other purpose. ONE BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL Three bills sponsored by Democrats would protect or amend aspects of the enacting legislation, including LD 1712, a bipartisan proposal presented by Rep. Tiffany Roberts, D-South Berwick, and co-sponsored by several Democrats and Republicans. "This legislation represents a critical step forward in making Maine's PFML program more functional and sustainable, especially for small businesses," said Jake Lachance, spokesman for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. The chamber and Bath Iron Works have filed a lawsuit against the administration of Gov. Janet Mills challenging how the state is implementing the program. However, members of the Maine Paid Family Leave Coalition oppose LD 1712, as well as the bills sponsored by Republicans. "All of (them) ultimately dismantle Maine's PFML program, create unnecessary barriers for workers and caregivers, propose costly delays, and carve out numerous hard-working Maine people who fund this benefit," said Catie Reed, spokesperson for the Maine Women's Lobby. Coalition members said LD 1712 is "among the most concerning proposals this session." Instead, coalition members support LD 894, which would clarify various aspects of the program, and LD 575, which would ensure equitable access to the program by removing the requirement that leave must be scheduled to prevent undue hardship on employers. "(LD 894) is about refining — not rewriting — a program built through years of bipartisan collaboration and public engagement," said Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, the bill's primary sponsor. "(It) represents a focused effort to launch Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave program responsibly, effectively and in a way that supports both workers and employers." Lachance said the state chamber is neither for nor against LD 894, but it strongly opposes LD 575. "Small businesses across Maine already face chronic staffing shortages," Lachance said. "There are many employers, especially in rural areas, who are operating with a skeletal staff and cannot absorb unplanned or prolonged employee absences without significant disruption." The chamber has heard from many small business owners who have personally stepped in to clean bathrooms, stock shelves or run front-of-house operations due to a lack of staff, Lachance said. "Removing the undue hardship provision would make this precarious situation even more untenable by removing the only mechanism employers have to balance employee leave with the ability to operate their business," Lachance said. ADDRESSING BUSINESS CONCERNS Business groups have objected to many of the program's rules, including language saying businesses that offered their own private leave programs were not permitted to opt out of the tax collections until April 2026. However, the Department of Labor changed that provision to allow businesses to opt out in 2025 if they could prove they were giving their employees an equivalent private paid leave benefit. The fund would pay up to 90% of regular wages for up to 12 weeks for workers who are ill or need to take care of newborns or other family members, among other reasons. Employers with fewer than 15 workers are exempt from paying into the program, but workers at small businesses still pay a 0.5% payroll tax and will be eligible for benefits. Legislators noted during Wednesday's hearings that the program would cost $5.72 per week for the average Mainer earning a little over $1,100 per week. The bipartisan LD 1712 would clarify the meaning of "undue hardship" so business owners could better manage multiple leave requests occurring at peak times, Lachance said in written testimony. It also would provide a uniform 65% wage replacement rate and a 15- or 30-day filing deadline for leave notices, which supporters say would simplify benefits administration, ensure the fund's fiscal stability and help business backfill staffing more effectively. Committee member Rep. Valli Geiger, D-Rockland, noted that similar programs found that some workers declined to take paid leave at lower wage replacement rates because they couldn't afford to live without the lost wages. Roberts, the bill's primary sponsor, said that's one aspect of her proposal that warrants future discussion. Coalition members said LD 1712 and the Republican bills would strip workers of basic protections, slash wages for low-income Mainers, gut union rights and weaken penalties for noncompliance. Daughtry, who led Maine's paid family leave effort, said those bills are being presented without evidence or experience. "These bills come just months into the program's launch — before a single claim has even been filed," Daughtry said in written testimony. "They are, simply put, premature attempts to reverse course and gut a program before it has had a chance to prove its worth." Copy the Story Link
