Do my employees continue to get health benefits while on Paid Family and Medical Leave?

You are required to maintain existing health benefits for an employee receiving paid family or medical leave benefits if they have at least one day of overlap with leave taken under federal FMLA (WAC 192-700-020). Health benefits must continue without a break in coverage until the employee’s Paid Leave ends or the employee returns to work after taking their leave.

Nothing prevents an employer from maintaining a worker’s benefits while they take Paid Family and Medical Leave. If a worker is responsible for paying some of the health insurance premium, you can require that they continue to pay their share.