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Family & Medical Leave

Family and Medical Leave Resources (FMLA & WA Paid Family & Medical Leave)

The District is committed to supporting staff who need extended time away from work for serious health or family-related reasons. The following outlines the two key programs that may apply: the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML).  

1. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA – Federal Leave)

FMLA is a federal law that provides job-protected leave.

  • Purpose: Provides up to 12 workweeks of leave for your own serious health condition, the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition.  

  • Eligibility: You must have been employed by the District for at least 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months.  

  • Pay & Benefits: FMLA itself is unpaid. However, you may elect to use your accrued sick, vacation, or personal leave to cover your absence for pay. The District continues your health benefits while you are on FMLA leave.  If you run out of available leave, you will be put on Unpaid Leave at that point on.

2. Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML – State Leave)

PFML is a state-administered insurance program that provides partial wage replacement.

  • Purpose: Provides partial wage replacement (up to 90%) through the state for qualifying leave. This includes your own serious health condition, bonding with a new child, or caring for a family member.  

  • Eligibility: You qualify if you have worked at least 820 hours in Washington over the past year.  

  • How to Apply: You must apply directly through the state’s official website: paidleave.wa.gov.  

How FMLA and PFML Work Together

When an employee is eligible for both, the leaves run concurrently (at the same time).  

  • FMLA provides job protection.  

  • PFML provides pay.  

Important Note on Pay: You cannot receive payment from both the District (using accrued leave) and the State (PFML) simultaneously for the same days. You must coordinate your PFML application with OSD Human Resources to avoid overpayment or benefit conflicts.  

Key Steps for Staff

  1. Contact HR Early: If your leave is foreseeable, notify Human Resources at least 30 days in advance, or as soon as practicable, to discuss with Human Resources your options and go over required forms and steps for FMLA.

  2. Apply for Both: To ensure both job protection and pay, you need to apply for FMLA with OSD HR, and apply for PFML through the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD).  

  3. Returning to Work: You must provide a Return to Work Authorization form to HR showing no restrictions before returning to your position.  

Retirement Service Credit (DRS Impact)

  • Service credit with the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) continues while you are receiving District pay (using sick or vacation leave). Time on Unpaid Leave or using PFML does not count toward retirement service credit.