Primary and Secondary Leave Policy
Applicable to Employees Based in Massachusetts
Purpose
Nexthink celebrates new parents and is committed to supporting you as you welcome a new member into your family. This Parental Leave Policy applies to all eligible Nexthinkers living in the state of Massachusetts.
To provide you with the time and flexibility you, your partner and your new child need together in those first few critical weeks, we are offering paid Parental Leaves as follow:
- 16 weeks, 100% paid for Primary Caregivers (i.e., Birthing person or agreed primary caregiver for adoptive parents).
- 6 weeks or the legal minimum for Secondary Caregivers, fully paid.
- The birthing person's leave can be extended with a maximum of 8 additional months (unpaid leave) or per local legal requirements.
Primary Leave
Eligibility:
All full-time employees based in Massachusetts are eligible for primary leave following the birth of a child.
Company-Paid Leave:
Nexthink will provide up to 4 weeks of fully paid primary leave at 100% of the employee’s regular salary, beginning on the employee’s first day of leave.
State-Paid Leave (MA PFML):
At the beginning of the 4 weeks of company-paid leave, employees are required to apply for Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) through the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML).
- Under MA PFML, eligible employees may receive up to 12 additional weeks of paid family leave to bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster child.
- The amount of PFML benefits is determined by the DFML and based on a percentage of the employee’s average weekly wage.
- Nexthink will “top up” any PFML payments to ensure the employee receives 100% of their regular base salary for the duration of the approved leave.
Total Primary Leave Duration:
Employees may take up to 16 weeks of primary leave (4 weeks paid by the company + 12 weeks through MA PFML).
Secondary Leave
Eligibility:
All full-time employees based in Massachusetts are eligible for secondary leave following the birth, adoption, or placement of a child.
State-Paid Leave (MA PFML):
Employees must apply directly to the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) to receive PFML benefits.
- Eligible employees may receive up to 6 weeks of paid family leave for bonding with a new child.
- The amount of PFML benefits is determined by the DFML and based on a percentage of the employee’s average weekly wage.
- Nexthink will “top up” any PFML payments to ensure the employee receives 100% of their regular base salary for the duration of the approved leave.
Company-Paid Leave:
Nexthink does not provide additional paid secondary leave beyond what is offered through the MA PFML program.
Application Process
- Notification: Employees should notify their manager and Human Resources at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated start date of leave, whenever possible.
- MA PFML Application: Employees are responsible for submitting a leave application directly to the DFML. Details can be found at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-family-and-medical-leave
- Company Coordination: HR will coordinate with the employee to ensure that leave is appropriately tracked and benefits are properly administered.
Job Protection and Benefits
Both primary and secondary leave under this policy are job-protected, and employees will continue to receive health insurance benefits during the leave period, provided the employee continues to pay their portion of any premiums.
Please refer to the Parental Leave Policy in the Employee Portal for additional definitions and FAQs.