On April 26, 2022, Washington’s Employment Security Department finalized clarifying rules relating to the Paid Family and Medical Leave.

The first rule states that a waiting period does not reduce the maximum duration of an employee’s available paid family or medical leave, and that the waiting period does not apply to medical leave taken upon the birth of a child.

The second rule clarifies that proration of benefits and the calculation of typical work week hours do not apply to the waiting period.

Lastly, the rules allow petitions for review to be submitted by email. These rules have a June 9, 2022, effective date. Supporting documentation on these adopted rules are on the program’s rulemaking page.