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  • Are independent contractors covered?

    Any self-employed person may opt-in to the state plan. This includes sole proprietors, independent contractors, partners, and joint ventures. When electing to use the state plan, self-employed persons must participate for an initial period of three years, and one year thereafter.

    Self-employed people who choose to participate must cover the employee share of the premium and are required to work 820 hours in the qualifying period to be eligible for benefits.

    For more information regarding self-employed persons using the state plan, see the RCW here: Elective Coverage – Self Employed.

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  • Employment

    Employment Opportunities

    We're developing an innovative and hardworking team to implement the new Paid Family and Medical Leave program and we'd love for you to join us! If … more

  • Is there assistance for small business?

    Grants are available for small businesses to help cover the costs of hiring temporary employees when a member of your team uses Paid Family and Medical Leave. To be eligible for these grants, your business must average 150 or fewer employees. Businesses that average fewer than 50 employees must pay the employer portion of premiums to be eligible.

    Grants of up to $3,000 are available and can be issued 10 times per year to a single employer. A business must apply for these grants and more information about the application process will be available in the future.

    A grant of $1,000 is available to businesses who experience significant wage-related costs due to an employee’s leave when using Paid Family and Medical Leave.

    You can learn more about Small Business Assistance in the RCW here.

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  • Employer Webinar: Small Business Overview

    Address Line 1: Online Webinar

    Small business will have special considerations in Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program. Attend this free webinar to learn about those considerations, your requirements under the law, and … more

    End Date and Time: 10/23/2018 5:00:00 PM

    Start Date and Time: 10/23/2018 4:00:00 PM

  • Employer Webinar: Small Business Overview

    Address Line 1: Online Webinar

    Small business will have special considerations in Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program. Attend this free webinar to learn about those considerations, your requirements under the law, and … more

    End Date and Time: 10/16/2018 11:00:00 AM

    Start Date and Time: 10/16/2018 10:00:00 AM

  • What happens when my employee wants to take paid leave?

    Paid Family and Medical Leave is structured as an insurance program. Your employees pay into the program through payroll withholding, which is remitted by the employer. They qualify by working 820 hours in the qualifying period, verified by employer reporting.

    Once an employee has qualified by working 820 hours, they must then experience a qualifying event. This event could be related to either family or medical leave. For example, an employee who is caring for their newborn would use family leave. An employee caring for themselves after a car accident would use medical leave.

    After qualifying, the employee will file a claim with the Employment Security Department. This claim could be filed after the first missed day of work. In the car accident example, an employee could file their claim once they are physically able to. If the reason for leave is foreseeable, the employee must give their employer 30 days’ notice of their intention to take leave.

    The employer will be notified of the employee’s claim for leave. A process for the employer to dispute the employees claim will be developed in Phase 3 of Rulemaking. When the claim is approved, the employee receives their benefit payment within 14 days of the application. Payments are made biweekly after the first payment.

    If an employer has 50 or more employees, the employee is eligible for job protection if they have worked for that employer for 12 months or longer and have worked 1250 hours in the year to date before the first day of leave. 

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  • Are my patients eligible for benefits?

    Most people employed in Washington who work 820 hours or more in the qualifying period (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before they plan to take leave) will qualify. There are some exceptions (federal employees, for example), but many of your working patients will likely qualify.

    In order to use their benefits, they must experience a qualifying event. Leave events can be either Family or Medical.

    Family Leave

    • Care and bond after a baby’s birth or the placement of a child younger than 18
    • Care for a family member experiencing an illness or medical event
    • Certain military-connected events

    Medical Leave

    • Care for yourself in relation to an illness or medical event

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  • Workers

    Workers

    Support for employees, stability for companies

    Washington workers will be able to use Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits starting in 2020. These benefits will generally … more

  • Healthcare Providers

    Overview for Healthcare Providers

    Healthcare providers will play a critical role in certifying the eligibility of patients who opt to use paid family and medical leave benefits, but at … more