Question

One of my employees is on Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and is telling me she may need to extend her leave. Is that possible? Is it complicated?

Answer

It is possible for an employee to extend or update his or her leave.

Employees on Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) may sometimes need to extend their leave or modify the amount of time-off needed when their circumstances change.  A recovery may take longer than expected, an intermittent leave request can turn out to be inadequate for the employee’s medical condition, or an entirely new reason for PFML leave may arise.

The Department of Family Medical Leave (DFML) anticipates these changes and includes instructions on its website for extending or updating a leave that is in progress. These instructions apply to PFML claims administered and funded through the DFML, and not through a private plan. Employers offering an approved private PFMLA plan should confirm the process with the insurance company administering their plan.

For all extensions or updates, the DFML directs employees to first notify their employer of the need for an extension of a leave.  Notice should be given 30 calendar days in advance of the current leave’s expiration or as soon as possible.

Additional documentation may be required from a health-care provider to support any extension or update to a leave.  The application or second leave request, depending on what is required, will be sent to the employer for review.  When the DFML has decided about the extension or update, it will notify both the employer and the employee.

Extension of leave

If the leave is for additional time off for the same type of leave (i.e., family or medical), the employee may create a second leave request within the existing claim online at paidleave.mass.gov or call the DFML (833) 344-7365 for assistance. To avoid an additional seven-calendar-day waiting period, the extension should be requested up to 30 days after the expiration of the employee’s original leave.

Extension of leave with change in type of leave

If the leave extension also involves a change in leave type (i.e., switching from family leave to medical or vice versa), the process is slightly different.  A new application will need to be created, and an additional seven-calendar-day waiting period may apply, except in the case of a switch from medical leave to bonding leave after the employee has given birth.

Extension of leave with change in amount of time off

Sometimes a leave extension will include a change from continuous leave to either an intermittent leave or a reduced schedule leave, or the reverse.

Changing from a continuous leave to a reduced-schedule leave, or vice versa, does not require a new application. Requests for such a change must be made by contacting DFML at (833) 344-7365. DFML may request additional health-care provider information.

On the other hand, changing a leave to or from an intermittent leave, or changing an intermittent leave schedule, will require a new application and may also result in an additional seven-calendar-day waiting period. Requests for such a change must be made by contacting DFML at (833) 344-7365. DFML may request additional healthcare provider information.

AIM members with questions about a change to a PFML leave application or any other human resources matter, may contact the AIM HR Hotline at 800-470-6277.