{"id":357744,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/washington-family-leave-act.html"},"modified":"2023-12-27T11:47:31","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T16:47:31","slug":"washington-family-leave-act","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/family-medical-leave\/washington-family-leave-act.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Family Leave Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington Paid Medical Leave <\/h1>\n
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\n By Lisa Burden, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In line with a growing trend among the states to offer paid leave, Washington has implemented leave programs to provide workers with paid time off for family and medical reasons. Realizing that many employees can’t afford to take time off from work, many state lawmakers approved legislation requiring that employers provide paid leave. This leave allows workers to recover from a serious illness, care for a loved one, or take care of a new child.<\/p>\r\n

Washington state residents can take paid leave under these state laws:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Act<\/li>\r\n
  2. Washington Paid Sick Leave Act<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    In addition to state-mandated leave, two of Washington’s cities also have paid leave policies.<\/p>\r\n

    Unpaid leave is also available. The Family and Medical Leave Act<\/a> (FMLA), which is a federal law, allows workers to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Leave under the state program does not diminish the unpaid leave an employee can take under the FMLA.<\/p>\r\n

    Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Act<\/h2>\r\n

    Washington launched its paid family and medical leave program in 2020. The leave law<\/a> allows residents 12 to 16 weeks of leave for certain qualifying events.<\/p>\r\n

    Washington’s Employment Security Department<\/a> (ESD) administers the program. The agency approves or denies leave requests and makes leave benefits payments.<\/p>\r\n

    Employers\u2014whether located in Washington or out of state\u2014with Washington employees must participate in the paid family and medical leave program.<\/p>\r\n

    Contributions from large employers and payroll deductions from employees’ wages fund the paid leave benefit.<\/p>\r\n

    Eligible Employees<\/h3>\r\n

    You must have worked at least 820 hours for an employer in Washington state during four of the last five calendar quarters. All paid work counts toward the hours.<\/p>\r\n

    Federal employees, self-employed people, and employees working in companies located in tribal lands don’t automatically qualify for the leave. They have to opt-in to the leave benefit.<\/p>\r\n

    Leave Benefits Provided<\/h3>\r\n