Navigating PFML Expansion: Insights from Craig Truitt

If expanding state PFML laws are complicating your compliance and operations, this episode shows how to integrate them seamlessly without overwhelming your HR team or workforce. Resources Mentioned: 2026 On the Pulse Report⁠: Insights on Employee Benefits Trends – Download this free report for forward-looking trends in employee benefits, including data-driven funding shifts, healthcare costs, and mid-market strategies. Visit imacorp.com to connect with the IMA team and learn more about building smarter employee benefits. Listen and Subscribe: Share this episode with a fellow HR leader and subscribe to On the Pulse with IMA on your favorite podcast platform for more practical insights. Have questions or topics you'd like covered? Reach out via imacorp.com. Episode Description: Kelly Bowman sits down with Craig Truitt, Absence Consulting expert at IMA Financial Group, to address the accelerating expansion of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs across states. Craig discusses the current timeline for new programs in Minnesota, Maryland, Maine, and Delaware, along with strategies for managing contributions, benefits coordination, and compliance in multi-state environments. He shares practical tips for auditing policies, creating leave roadmaps, and integrating PFML with existing PTO and disability programs to reduce administrative burden. From client examples to handling high-volume industries like retail and healthcare, this conversation offers actionable guidance for HR leaders facing this patchwork of requirements. Whether you're preparing for upcoming launches or optimizing current setups, Craig's insights provide a clear path to compliance and employee support. Guest Bio: Craig Truitt is an Absence Consulting expert at IMA Financial Group, specializing in helping employers navigate paid leave compliance, policy integration, and operational challenges. With deep knowledge of state PFML programs and federal requirements, he guides multi-state organizations in building scalable strategies that minimize risks and empower HR teams. Host: Kelly Bowman Key Timestamps: 00:00: Introduction to PFML expansion challenges and compliance pressures 01:20: Show intro and welcome 02:05: Craig introduces himself, his role at IMA, and a fun fact 03:15: Personal chit-chat on leave policy evolutions 04:10: Defining PFML trends and their rapid growth since 2018 06:00: Shift to state-specific implementation strategies 07:00: Impact on multi-state employers, industries, and remote workforces 08:30: Common pitfalls: Policy conflicts and payroll complications, with examples 10:50: Client story on successful PFML integration in a high-volume industry 13:15: Measuring success: Compliance metrics, employee satisfaction, and cost controls 15:55: Designing programs for distributed teams, with coordination examples 19:25: Communication trends and tools for educating on PFML 21:25: Misconceptions about PFML costs and requirements 22:30: Bridging HR operations with finance needs, plus PTO integration examples 24:00: Evaluating state programs and preparation timelines 26:00: Mindsets holding employers back: Delaying audits and integrations 28:30: Upcoming trends: More state adoptions and hybrid models 29:45: Rethinking leave support through roadmaps and templates 31:55: Building a compliance culture from leadership to employees 33:30: Role of technology, alerts, and customization in PFML management 34:40: Branding leave programs for clarity 34:55: Must-have strategy for 2026: Proactive state-by-state planning 35:40: Advice for organizations: Audit gaps, coordinate benefits, and educate early 37:55: Closing thanks and show outro