Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave

Our hard work in Olympia over the past few years is still paying dividends on different fronts. Before the 2017 legislative session, we launched a petition to help pass landmark legislation that guarantees paid family leave in Washington. Using our collective voice to enact positive change helps improve working conditions for all. Together, we are lifting standards for all workers around the state!

Starting January 2020, most of us will be able to use Paid Family and Medical Leave to help replace our paycheck when we need to take time off from work to take care of ourselves or a family member.

Everyone who is eligible for FMLA is eligible. Nearly every Washington worker can qualify for paid leave as long as we work a minimum of 820 hours. Most employers will allow workers to supplement our paychecks under family leave time with our choice of leave, but some employers, such as CHI, will not. This lack of consistency motivates us to continue fighting so every worker, regardless of employer, can benefit from this policy in the future. Ask your employer or union organizer if you are unsure if this applies to you.

What kind of life events are covered under Paid Family and Medical Leave?

• Bonding with a newborn, adopted or foster child
• Recovering from surgery, serious illness, injury
• Supporting a family member with a serious medical condition
• Events related to active duty military service

How much time can we take?

• Up to 12 weeks of paid leave a year
• Up to 16 weeks if both personal and family medical events happen in the same year
• Up to 18 weeks if we have pregnancy complications
• We don’t have to take our leave all at once

Six things to know about Paid Family and Medical Leave

For more information, visit https://paidleave.wa.gov/