This is an official communication from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Family & Medical Leave Insurance Division. |
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In the Spotlight: Differences between intermittent leave and a reduced work schedule |
Colorado’s new paid-leave law doesn’t require workers to go all-or-nothing when they need to care for themselves or a loved one with a serious health condition. Workers also have the option to take leave intermittently or to reduce their work hours, instead of leaving the job full-time |
Understanding the difference between intermittent leave and a reduced work schedule can be tricky, though. Here’s a breakdown: |
Intermittent leave means a leave that happens in separate blocks of time for a single qualifying condition and occurs irregularly. An example of this leave type would be a person who experiences migraines and may need to miss a day of work when they have an occurrence but can’t predict when or how often they’ll experience those migraines. When taking intermittent leave to care for yourself or a loved one with a serious health condition, your health care provider must approve your claim with a certain number of leave hours needed each week – this cannot be an average. If your provider is unable to approve your need for leave on a week-by-week basis, we recommend filing your intermittent leave claims retroactively each time you miss work for the qualifying condition. |
A reduced work schedule is when a worker needs time off, but not 40 hours a week. Often, a health care provider will specify a maximum number of hours a claimant can work per week. These are often pre-planned consistent days and times off that occur weekly. Imagine a worker whose health care provider limits them to working 5 hours a day, or a worker who needs to miss work every Tuesday and Thursday for medical treatments. |
Not sure which type of leave fits your situation? FAMLI experts are standing by to help. Drop us a line at CDLE_FAMLI_info@state.co.us or give us a call at 1-866-CO-FAMLI any weekday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. MT. |
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People are asking: I’m self-employed, what happens if I don’t keep a three-year commitment? |
Some Colorado workers, like those who are self-employed or work for a local government that has opted out of FAMLI, can choose whether they participate in Colorado’s FAMLI program. If they do choose to participate in the program, they must commit to paying premiums in the amount of 0.45% of their wages each quarter for three years. |
So what happens if you fit in this category, opt in to the program, but then stop paying your premiums early? You would accrue late fees and penalties for any missing premiums and wage reports, same as any other Colorado employer. Actions could eventually include audits and collections activities. |
Depending on circumstances, it could also be determined that you no longer had a FAMLI obligation. For example: you moved, or began working for an employer that does participate in FAMLI and will be reporting on your behalf.
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“The FAMLI benefit was a literal lifesaver to me, my family, and our future at a time when I couldn't see hope, and was stuck in a cycle of grief and fear.” |
That’s from Marie, a National Guard member who lives in northern Colorado. Read more about Marie’s story – and why she says Military Family Member (Exigency) Leave is so important – on our new and improved Family Journeys page. |
We want to hear your personal stories, too. Please tell us how FAMLI is helping you through a significant life event. Each month we feature real stories in our newsletter and across our social channels. |
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Your feedback about your FAMLI experience is important to us. Please complete this brief feedback form (2-5 minutes) to help us improve the user experience of My FAMLI+. Your responses will help us improve the online portal for FAMLI claimants and all state residents. |
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FAMLI is now on INSTA! Be sure to follow us and engage with the account at @coloradofamli. And don’t forget, we’re also on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. |
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Colorado Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) 633 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202-3660 Unsubscribe |
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