Earlier this month, Governor Jay Inslee signed SHB 1399, concerning Paid Family and Medical Leave, into law. The bill provides several technical corrections to the original law.
Earlier this month, Governor Jay Inslee signed
SHB 1399, concerning Paid Family and Medical Leave, into law. The bill provides several technical corrections to the original law, including changing the employee waiting period to the first 7 consecutive calendar days from the first 7 days of leave, allowing an employer to waive certain employee notice requirements, and stipulating that an employee cannot work and receive benefits at the same time.
Additionally, SHB 1399 clarifies that an employer can supplement an employee’s Paid Family and Medical Leave benefit with other forms of paid leave. Under the original law, employers were not allowed to supplement the pay of an employee out on Paid Family and Medical Leave with other paid leave, such as vacation or sick leave. SHB 1399 also grants employers the option to offer company provided paid leave on top of an employee’s Paid Family and Medical Leave benefit.
These updates will take effect July 28, 2019. You can view the entire bill
here.
Learn more about employer requirements under Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program by reading
"Paid Family & Medical Leave: How to Prepare as an Employer" on the WSDA Blog.
Paid Family and Medical Leave Office of the Ombuds
The Office of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds recently launched its new website. While the office is located in the Employment Security Department, the Ombuds is an independent and confidential resource. The Office of the Ombuds advocates for the rights of Washington workers and employers who need assistance in their dealings with the Employment Security Department. Although the Ombuds does not provide legal representation or legal advice, the office can help navigate the Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance program.
You can find more information about the Paid Family and Medical Leave Ombuds at
paidleaveombuds.wa.gov.