We need time to care because we have families, too. Employers begin payroll withholding in 2019. But it's also important to listen to workers speaking out for themselves about why we need time to care. Washington workers will have up to 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave starting in 2020. There's a lot to wrestle with in the finer points of the policy - and we'll be watching all that very closely. And many corporations are taking steps forward too. The city of Seattle is considering a plan too. The good news is that the Washington State Legislature is considering several different Paid Family Leave proposals which would provide workers the paid family and medical leave we need. Inequitable corporate policies only make these disparities worse. It allows most employees to receive up to 12 weeks of paid leave for: Bonding after the birth or placement of a child. The new law requires employer and employee premiums. The program is a state-run insurance benefit passed by the Legislature in 2017. The new Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) took effect in January of this year. Eligible employees receive a percentage of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum of 1,327 per week in 2022.
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Employees can take Paid Family and Medical Leave after working at least 820 hours during the qualifying period. Under the paid family leave program, employees can take up to 12 weeks of paid time off if they have a baby or adopt, become ill or injured off the job, or need to care for an ill or injured family member. The Employment Security Department administers the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave does not replace the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). have any paid family leave at all, and the best-paid workers are three and a half times more likely to have access to paid family leave than the lowest-paid workers. The Washington paid family leave program provides paid time off employees can use to deal with family- or medical-related life events. But only 13% of all private sector workers in the U.S.
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We need employers and the government to recognize the basic facts that everyone has a family and everyone needs time to care.Īt some point in their working life, everyone will need time to care for a new child or other family member. It's time for paid family leave in Washington.