Passed by the Legislature in 2017, Paid Family and Medical Leave is a state program that offers workers in Washington the opportunity to receive partial wage replacement when taking leave to recover from an illness or injury, to bond with a new child, to care for a sick or injured family member, or for certain military connected events. Beginning in 2020, workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks, as needed, for any of the above listed circumstances. Learn more about employee leave benefits.

The Paid Family and Medical Leave program will be funded by premiums paid by both employees and many employers, and will be administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD). Under this program, employers will need to offer paid family and medical leave through either the state plan or a voluntary plan starting January 1, 2020. 

While employees cannot utilize benefits until January 1, 2020, employers must meet certain requirements by January 1, 2019. Even though the rulemaking for this program is still underway, employers can start to familiarize themselves with these new requirements.

Members, log in to familiarize yourself with upcoming requirements.

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