CT Paid Leave Launches Multi-Faceted Business Outreach Initiative
/The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority continues to support employers in complying with and navigating the CT Paid Leave program.
This month, the agency launched what is described as a “robust campaign to further educate the state’s business community on the benefits of paid leave for them and their employees.”
The campaign is to include direct mail, webinars, outreach to municipalities and Chambers of Commerce, culminating in a Leave Management Conference planned for the fall of 2026.
“Our goal is to be accessible and helpful, both in helping employers understand the program but also by giving them useful information to support their employees going on leave,” said Erin Choquette, CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority. “We know that paid leave is a benefit to businesses - the cost of holding someone's job while they are out for up to 12 weeks is far less than the cost of recruiting, hiring, onboarding and training someone new. Employers’ role in connecting their staff to these benefits builds loyalty, and improves productivity and retention.”
CT Paid Leave has begun reaching out to new businesses registered with the Secretary of the State each month to inform them of their requirements under CT Paid Leave and to invite them to a CT Paid Leave 101 webinar. The agency will hold one webinar each month for employers and one for sole proprietors. The schedule can be seen at https://www.ctpaidleave.org/resources-and-guides/webinars-and-events?language=en_US.
The agency is also planning a Leave Management Conference for this Fall which will be open to employers, human resources professionals, and benefit coordinators. CT Paid Leave Authority will discuss various topics related to leave management, including FMLA, other laws providing job protected leave, supporting employees who are going on leave, developing policies/handbook, and much more. The date and location have yet to be announced.
CT Paid Leave will also be conducting extensive outreach to all 169 municipalities to explore ways to collaborate so that both residents and employers are aware of the program. CT Paid Leave in Your Town events that have already been scheduled include:
Wednesday March 18th at 5:30pm, 240 Maple Ave, Cheshire
Wednesday March 25th, 10am-11am for families, 1pm-2pm for business owners, Town Hall, 10 Main Street, New Milford
Wednesday March 25th at 6pm, South Windsor Library, 1550 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor
Wednesday April 1st at 6:30pm, Berlin-Peck Memorial Library, 234 Kensington Road, Berlin
Thursday April 2nd at 6pm, Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive, Farmington
CT Paid Leave established their Community Education Coordinators program in 2024 to support outreach efforts and provide technical support to employers and employees. CT Paid Leave Authority is currently contracted with two chambers of commerce - Windham Region Chamber and Central CT Chambers of Commerce - with a specific focus on employer support.
For more information about CT Paid Leave and how to apply, visit www.ctpaidleave.org.
