Connecticut’s January 2026 Employment Law Changes – Be Business Ready
(Article: October 2025)
Several important Connecticut employment law changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Paid Sick Leave Expansion:
Employers with 11 to 24 employees will soon be covered under the state’s expanded Paid Sick Leave law. Now is the time to review and update policies, payroll systems, and employee communications to ensure they align with the new requirements.
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- Jan 1, 2026 → employers with 11+ employees
- Jan 1, 2027 → all employers with at least one employee
Under the expanded law:
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- Employees accrue paid sick leave at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours annually.
- The definition of “family member” is broadened (to include siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, etc.), and the permissible uses of leave are expanded (e.g., closures due to public health emergency, or exposure risk)
- Certain employer practices are restricted: for example, employers will not be able to require an employee to find a replacement while on leave and notice of documentation requirements are tightened and/or limited.
- Recordkeeping obligations: employers must maintain records of hours worked, leave accrued, and leave used, for at least three years.
Minimum Wage Increase & Impact on Paid Leave Benefits / Calculations
- On January 1, 2026, Connecticut’s minimum wage will increase to $16.94/hour.
- Because various benefit caps or thresholds in state leave / insurance / wage laws tie to multiples of the minimum wage, this increase will push up corresponding benefit maxima (e.g. weekly benefit caps in state paid leave programs).
Paid Family & Medical Leave (“PFML”) Program – Benefit Maximum Increase
- As of January 1, 2026, the new weekly maximum benefit under Connecticut’s Paid Leave / PFML program will be $1,016.40 (capped at 60 × the state minimum wage) for eligible claims.
Need help creating a Human Resources plan for managing these changes? Contact the Southington Regional Chamber at 860.628.8036 to be connected to a CHUMCAP specialist.
CHUMCAP is a partner HR program of the Southington Regional Chamber of Commerce and industry experts to provide information that helps you protect your business and your employees.
For information on other topics, visit the CHUMCAP page at SouthingtonChamber.com or call the Chamber office 860.628.8036.
(This content is a collaboration of the Southington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tracy Aparo – eGAGE, and the Law Office of Allie Levene.)