The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) announced back in October that updates to contribution rates and weekly benefit amounts under the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) would take effect on January 1, 2022. DDIFO employment counsel, Morgan Brown & Joy, advises that effective at the New Year, the maximum weekly amount of benefits available to eligible individuals increases from the current $850 per week to $1,084.31 per week. The benefit contribution rate for employers with 25 or more covered individuals is reduced to 0.68% of eligible wages from the current rate of 0.75%; and for those with fewer than 25 covered individuals, the benefit contribution rate drops to 0.344% of eligible wages from the current 0.378% because they are not required to pay the employers share of the benefit contribution. Under the PFLMA, employers do have an obligation to provide written notice to their current workforce of the PFMLA benefits as well as the contribution rates and other provisions outlined in the law. It is recommended that Bay State employers to issue the requisite notice of the new rates to all their employees now to ensure compliance.