October Luncheon sponsored by:

Speaker, Matt La Palm
Matt LaPalm is a communications consultant with the Paid Family and Medical Leave team at the Employment Security Department. Since joining the Paid Family and Medical Leave program in April 2018, Matt has spoken to more than 100 organizations about implementing this new program. Before joining the team, he worked in the private sector as a Marketing and Communications Director in Missoula, Montana

Leave Benefits
Washington workers will be able to use Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits starting in 2020. These benefits will generally allow up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for yourself or your family per year. 

More worker rights coming in 2019-20

Starting in 2020, Washington will be the fifth state in the nation to offer paid family and medical leave benefits to workers. The program will be funded by premiums paid by both employees and many employers, and will be administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD). This insurance program (app.leg.wa.gov) will allow workers to take necessary time off when they welcome a new child into their family, are struck by a serious illness or injury, or need to take care of an ill or ailing relative. As directed by the Legislature, premium payments begin on Jan. 1, 2019 and benefits can be taken starting Jan. 1, 2020.

For more information, see Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) (www.esd.wa.gov).

To learn more about the program, visit the Workers page on our website at www.paidleave.wa.gov/workers.