Virginia just became the latest state to enact a paid family and medical leave program, and employers need to start preparing now. Virginia’s new state-administered PFML program will require payroll contributions from employers and employees beginning April 1, 2028, with benefits available starting December 1, 2028. Covered employees can receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave at 80% of their average weekly wages for qualifying reasons including a new child, a serious health condition, caregiving, and domestic violence safety needs.
At ConnectBridge, we see this pattern repeatedly: new leave laws carry long lead times, but the internal work of updating policies, configuring payroll, and training managers takes longer than most employers anticipate. Virginia employers should begin reviewing leave and attendance policies now. If you already maintain a private paid leave plan, it’s worth evaluating whether it will satisfy the new statute’s requirements before 2028 arrives.
Littler breaks down what Virginia employers need to know. To read more, click here.
