Disputes

Filing disputes and appeals

Workers

You may file a complaint with the Employment Security Department if you feel your employer has:

  • Interfered with your ability to apply for or receive Paid Leave benefits, or 
  • Discharged you or discriminated against you for applying for or receiving Paid Leave benefits. 

We will determine whether your employer acted unlawfully. Your employer may be liable for damages, and you may have other rights, like job restoration. You will need to fill out the unlawful acts complaint form. 

Unlawful acts complaint form

Employers

If you believe an employee receiving Paid Leave benefits may have committed fraud, complete the suspected fraud complaint form. 

Employee fraud is defined in WAC 192-500-140 and WAC 192-500-150 and includes willful nondisclosure or misrepresentation. We will determine if fraud occurred based on a showing of clear, cogent and convincing evidence under WAC 192-800-005. 

Suspected fraud complaint form

Appeals

An individual or business can appeal any decision made by Paid Leave within 30 days after the date of the notification or mailing. You may provide additional information with your appeal that will be reviewed and could result in a new determination.

Workers

If you would like to appeal a decision we’ve made, please mail or fax us a letter that includes: 

  • Your name 
  • Your claim ID or Social Security number 
  • Your address 
  • Your phone number 
  • The decision you’re appealing and why you disagree 
  • Your signature, or the signature of your authorized representative 

Fax: 833-525-2273 

Mail: Employment Security Department 
Paid Family and Medical Leave 
P.O. Box 19020 
Olympia, WA 98507-0020 

Appeals are handled by the Office of Administrative Hearings. Once we receive your signed appeal, we will send it there, along with all the information we have in our files related to our decision. They will schedule a hearing and send you a Notice of Hearing, including the date and time.

Employers

If you would like to appeal a decision we’ve made, please mail or fax us a letter that includes: 

  • Your name 
  • Your business name 
  • Your UBI number 
  • Your business address 
  • Your business phone number 
  • The decision you’re appealing and why you disagree 
  • Your signature, or the signature of your authorized representative 

Fax: 833-525-2273  

Mail: Employment Security Department 
Paid Family and Medical Leave 
P.O. Box 19020 
Olympia, WA 98507-0020 

Appeals are handled by the Office of Administrative Hearings. Once we receive your signed appeal, we will send it there, along with all the information we have in our files related to our decision. They will schedule a hearing and send you a Notice of Hearing, including the date and time. 

Learn more about our commitment to equity and access.

Office of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds

You may also contact the Office of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds. The ombuds is an independent third party within the department that investigates, reports on and helps settle complaints about service deficiencies and concerns with the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. You may learn more about the ombuds at www.paidleaveombuds.wa.gov.