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What is PFML?

Man sitting at a computer - Leaves Support What is PFML?

Important note: The district ensures full compliance with the law regarding job protected leave.

Due to the high volume of leave requests, please note that the district will closely monitor cases where staff do not have job protection. For those individuals, if unprotected PFML is utilized and no other leave protections are available under their bargaining agreement, the district will not be able to hold their position. We encourage these staff members to reapply when they are ready to return to work.

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees job and benefit protection during an approved leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. The protection does not provide for compensation. Often, employees will utilize their own paid leave balances (sick, personal, etc.) to continue to receive compensation during their period of FMLA leave. In Washington State, Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) is a state-run insurance program that provides eligible employees with paid time off for qualifying events. Employees could opt to utilize this pay during a period of FMLA protection rather than utilizing their own district paid leave benefits. 

Beginning January 1, 2026, updates to Washington’s PFML law went into effect that eliminate “stacking” (using one leave after the other) of FMLA and PFML. Under this change, the district has implemented concurrent use of these leaves. This means FMLA and PFML will run at the same time, providing up to a combined maximum of 12 weeks (for one qualifying event) or 16 weeks (for two different qualifying events) of job-protected leave under both laws.

Leave counted against any permitted period of employment protection under the PFML program and the FMLA, and the use of unpaid leave does not affect your eligibility for benefits in the PFML Program.

Important Note: Any unpaid leave of absence, including PFML, may affect salary placement, retirement service credits, and SEBB eligibility. Refer to your collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or your Human Resources strand specialist if you have questions about salary placement.

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
As of January 1, 2026: Eligible for job protection for the duration of their leave, provided they have worked for you for 6 months or longer. 

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 Paid Leave.

Statement of Employee Rights

Important Note: Beginning on January 1, 2026 PFML is be processed in four (4) consecutive hours of work. 

For more information on how your pay will be processed while on a District unpaid leave, please review the frequently asked questions.

Leave forms can be found here.

For additional questions, please contact Cindi Battram, the Leaves Specialist. She would be happy to help you. She can be reached at 253-931-4916 or by email at cbattram@auburn.wednet.edu.