Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Summary

Washington State operates a mandatory, state-run insurance program that guarantees most workers up to 12 weeks of paid time off for serious health or family events.

Rights & Rules

01.
You can take 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child, a sick family member, or your own serious medical condition.
02.
If you experience multiple qualifying events (e.g., you have a complicated pregnancy AND need to bond with the baby), you can take up to 16 weeks, or 18 weeks if pregnancy complications result in incapacity.
03.
The program is funded by a tiny payroll premium (less than 1%) that is split between you and your employer.
04.
The state pays you a percentage of your regular wages during this time, up to a maximum cap (which adjusts annually, currently around $1,400/week).

Penalties

01.
Your employer MUST restore you to your same job (or an equivalent one) when you return from leave, provided you work for a company with 50+ employees and have worked there for at least a year. Firing you for taking leave violates state law.

Verified Citations

Revised Code of Washington Chapter 50A

Source

"The maximum duration of paid family leave may not exceed twelve times the typical workweek hours during a period of fifty-two consecutive calendar weeks... The maximum duration of paid medical leave may not exceed twelve times the typical workweek hours..."