Sparrow Gazette

November 2025

Sparrow's high-tech, high-touch approach means we're continually improving both our software and the support we provide.

Product Updates

New Features

Multiple HRBP Support is Live

Sparrow can now support multiple HRBPs per employee, and can ingest this information via HRIS integration. All HRBPs will see employees for whom they are designated as the HRBP on their Sparrow Dashboards, and will get notifications regarding their leave updates.

Reach out to your concierge team at [email protected] to update your integration if needed, and learn more about the HRBP dashboard here.

Leave Policies in the QuickView

We've released the next set of updates to the QuickView, a centralized panel in your Sparrow Dashboard that surfaces key configuration information. Your organization's Leave Policies now appear as additional tabs.

Note: The QuickView is not yet customer-editable. If anything needs updating, please contact your concierge team at [email protected].

Reminder: Employees Can Now Self-Initiate Leaves

Employees no longer need to wait for HR to kickoff a leave request. With this feature, employees can initiate their own leaves, streamlining intake and ensuring they receive timely guidance from day one.

What changes for HR

  • A new Tasks section to track outstanding actions.

  • A Leaves Requiring Attention dashboard section.

  • More automated notifications, including a periodic task digest and alerts when employees initiate new leaves.

Enablement 

This feature is off by default. To learn more or enable it for your organization, contact your concierge team at [email protected], or see details about employee self-initiated leaves here. 

Coming Soon!

Sparrow Knowledge Base

We're building a centralized Knowledge Base where employees, HR teams, managers, and HR business partners (HRBPs) can access role-specific resources drawn from Sparrow's deep expertise in leave management.

We expect to roll out the Knowledge Base to all customers in 2026.

State Benefit Program Updates

Illinois Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act (NICLA) 

Illinois has enacted a new Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act (NICLA), effective June 1, 2026, expanding job-protected leave for parents of newborns in intensive care. Learn what employers need to know to stay compliant.

Washington HB 1213 Notice requirements

As a follow-up to our September update, we want to share where things stand with Washington State's HB 1213, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The amendment will broaden WA PFML job protections, require continued health benefits during WA PFML, introduce new employer notice duties, and shorten the minimum leave duration.

At this point, several practical questions remain unresolved. Our team, together with our legal partners at Littler, is still waiting for formal guidance from the state agency to understand how key provisions will be implemented. We'll share clear recommendations for employers as soon as that information is released. For background, see our post: Washington expands PFML job protections in 2026—what employers need to know.

Program Updates

Date State Program Changes
September 28, 2025 District of Columbia Paid Family Leave Maximum weekly benefit increased from $1,153 to $1,190
December 1, 2025 Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave Deadline to provide written notice to employees and publish the notice on its premises.
January 1, 2026 California State Disability Insurance & Paid Family Leave Maximum weekly benefit projected to increase from $1681 to $1710.
January 1, 2026 San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance Expected change to maximum weekly cap.
January 1, 2026 Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Up to 12 additional weeks of FAMLI leave for any parent who has a child receiving care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
January 1, 2026 Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave Maximum weekly benefit increasing from $981 to $1,016.40
January 1, 2026 Delaware Paid Family and Medical Leave Paid leave benefits become available to employees. Maximum weekly benefit will be $900.
January 1, 2026 Hawaii Temporary Disability Insurance Expected change to maximum weekly benefit.
January 1, 2026 Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Maximum weekly benefit increasing from $1,170.64 to $1,230.39
January 1, 2026
 Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave
 Paid leave benefits become available to employees. Maximum weekly benefit will be $1,423.
January 1, 2026
 New Jersey Temporary Disability/Family Leave Insurance
 Maximum weekly benefit increasing from $1,081 to $1,119
January 1, 2026
 New York Paid Family Leave
 Maximum weekly benefit for NY PFL increasing from $1,177.32 to $1,228.53
January 1, 2026
 Rhode Island Temporary Disability/Caregiver Insurance
 Duration for temporary caregiver insurance (TCI) benefits increasing from seven (7) weeks to eight (8) weeks. TCI will allow use to care for a sibling.

Expected change to maximum weekly benefit.
January 1, 2026
 Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
 Modifies job protection provisions. Maximum weekly benefit increasing from $1,542 to $1,647

Supporting the Sandwich Generation

At Sparrow, we've seen a significant rise in caregiving leaves amongst our clients, reflecting these national trends. We also know HR leaders are eager for stronger data and insights to guide how they support this growing population. That's why we've launched the "Supporting the Sandwich Generation Survey" to capture caregivers' real experiences and help employers build more proactive, compassionate policies and benefits.

If you are balancing kids and parents, please help by taking a moment to share your voice or pass it along to someone who's balancing caregiving and career. 

Take the survey: http://bit.ly/47vXfiQ

Customer Spotlight

Why Meter Chose Sparrow to Deliver a White-Glove Leave Experience

Meter, the company modernizing internet infrastructure with a full-stack approach to networking, wanted to ensure its employees received the same seamless experience they deliver to customers. When their previous leave vendor fell short on personalization and reliability, Meter partnered with Sparrow to bring care, expertise, and simplicity to every leave. With Sparrow managing compliance, paperwork, and wage replacement end-to-end, Meter's people team gained time back—and employees enjoyed a smooth, supportive process from start to finish. The result: less stress, more trust, and a truly white-glove leave experience. Read more here.

How VideoAmp Scaled Its People-First Culture with Sparrow

As VideoAmp grew, maintaining their high standard of employee care during leaves became increasingly complex. The software and data company, known for reimagining media measurement, wanted a partner who could match their service philosophy while simplifying compliance and administration. By teaming up with Sparrow, VideoAmp automated leave management, payroll coordination, and state filings—without losing the personal touch their team values. Now, employees enjoy a smooth, supportive leave experience, and the People Ops team can focus on driving culture and impact. Read the full story.

Want to feature your story? Contact your concierge team at [email protected]!

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