• What is PFML

  • Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is a mandatory statewide insurance program that will provide paid time off to give or receive care.

    Qualifying Hours

    • Employees who have worked 820 hours in the qualifying period will be able to apply for leave.
    • The 820 hours are cumulative, regardless of the number of employers or jobs someone has during a year.
    • All paid work counts toward the 820 hours, including part-time, seasonal, and temporary work.

    Qualifying Reasons for Leave

    1. Welcome a child into their family (through birth, adoption, or foster placement).
    2. Experience a serious illness or injury.
    3. Need to care for a seriously ill or injured relative.
    4. Need time to prepare for a family member’s pre- and post-deployment activities, as well as time for childcare issues related to a family member’s military deployment.

    Job protection
    Eligible for job protection for the duration of their leave, provided they have worked for you for 12 months or longer and have worked 1,250 hours (about 24 hours a week) in the year before taking leave.

    Timeline
    12 weeks – Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave a year.
    16 Weeks – Eligible employees may qualify for up to 16 weeks if they have a personal medical event and family caregiving event happen in the same year – like giving birth to a baby or caring for an ill or injured family member.
    18 weeks – In cases related to complications in pregnancy, employees may be able to take up to 18 weeks.

    You can find more information about PFML check eligibility, and apply, at https://paidleave.wa.gov/.

    Statement of Employee Rights


    For additional questions, please contact Cindi Battram, the Leaves and Workers’ Compensation Specialist. She would be happy to help you. She can be reached at 253-931-4900 or by email at cbattram@auburn.wednet.edu.