Washington adopts PFML rules employers should be aware of

Effective date: February 16, 2025

This applies to: All employers with at least one employee in the state

Description of change: On January 16, 2025, the Washington Employment Security Department adopted rules for Paid Family and Medical Leave to:

• Include naturopathic physicians in the definition of “health care provider,”
• Update language to remove gender-specific pronouns,
• Repeal rules related to the pandemic leave assistance program,
• Set the prevailing interest rate for late payments associated with damages,
• Align backdating timelines associated with good cause with all other backdating reasons,
• Require weekly claims to include hours worked in self-employment, and
• Allow the Department to accept verbal authorization in certain cases regarding designated representatives.

View related state info: FMLA - Washington