Equity and access

If you need a reasonable accommodation or other assistance to help you interact with our program, please let us know. Requests for reasonable accommodation or hardship are handled through the Office of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds. To request an accommodation, email PFMLaccess@esd.wa.gov or call 833-494-2273, Washington Relay Service 711.

We provide document translation and interpretation services free of charge to customers with limited English proficiency. For more information, call 833-717-2273, Washington Relay Service 711.

We are committed to equity and accessibility in our program and services. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sex stereotyping, transgender status, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, political affiliation or belief, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information (including family medical history), or any other category protected by law. These types of discrimination are illegal and won’t be tolerated.

If you feel you’ve been discriminated against, we want to hear from you.

By program staff

You may file a complaint with any employee of Paid Family and Medical Leave or directly with the Employment Security Department’s Equal Opportunity Office:

Equal Opportunity Office
Employment Security Department
esdgpeo@esd.wa.gov
855-836-5598 (toll-free), Washington Relay Service 711
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046

or with:

The Director, Civil Rights Center (CRC)
U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-4123
Washington, D.C.  20210
CRCExternalComplaints@dol.gov

By your employer

If you feel you’ve been discriminated against by your employer for any of the reasons listed above or because you applied for or took Paid Family and Medical Leave, you may file a complaint with:

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Seattle Office
800-669-4000 (toll-free)

and/or

The Washington State Human Rights Commission
800-233-3247 (toll-free)

About your employer

If you feel your employer fired you because you applied for or took Paid Family and Medical Leave, or if they interfered with your ability to apply for or receive the benefits, you may file a complaint with the Employment Security Department. The program will make a decision on whether your employer acted unlawfully. Your employer may be liable for damages, and you may have other rights like job restoration. Learn more about filing a dispute.

About Paid Leave

The Office of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds is a neutral, independent third party and maintains full autonomy from the department. Appointed by the governor, the Ombuds helps workers and employers in their dealings with the program.

For more information on their role or to ask for their assistance, visit the Ombuds website.