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  • Paid Family and Medical Leave
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Paid Family and Medical Leave

Passed in 2017 after an almost 20-year fight led by EOI and allies, Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program offers much needed protections to workers needing time off to care for themselves or their families. Since its passage, EOI has worked with the staff of the new Paid Family and Medical Leave office to develop the program which will go into effect on January 1, 2020.

Workers will soon be able to take up to 12 weeks paid leave to care for a newborn or newly placed adopted or foster child, a serious health condition, a family member’s serious health condition, or a family member’s military deployment – with up to 18 weeks available in a year, depending on circumstances.

Taking time off to care for oneself or one’s loved ones without fearing a loss of wages or employment shouldn’t be a privilege. Soon, in Washington, it won’t be.

Economic Opportunity Institute

July 26, 2018

Paid Sick Days and Paid Leave in Pictures

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May 3, 2018

Details Matter

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November 11, 2017

The Road to Winning Paid Family and Medical Leave in Washington

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FEATURED PROFILE

Terri’s Story, or, Cancer Doesn’t Care How Responsible You Are

Terri did everything right. She and her husband raised three great children – now mostly grown. She was a loyal employee for 14 years and prepared for the future, buying into the short term disability plan her company offered and investing in a 401(k). She even decided it was time to get healthy and lost 30 lbs.

When her cancer diagnosis came, she had family support, a financial cushion, and the legal protection of the FMLA. But none of that proved quite enough to last through two years of treatment and three surgeries. Despite her years of hard work and responsible actions, one bout of seriously bad luck has left Terri worried about her family’s future.

In September 2013, after speaking with some co-workers, Terri became suspicious of symptoms she’d been having. She visited the doctor and after two biopsies learned she had cancer in both breasts. In October, Terri had a lumpectomy and eventually a double mastectomy. In total, Terri has needed to take 3 separate medical leaves from work to deal with her cancer

“It was the worst experience of my life” said Terri.

Read more…

Research Feed

Paid Family and Medical Leave
Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Program After Two Years of Operation

Key lessons for other state and federal Paid Family and Medical Leave programs

Paid Family and Medical Leave
Improving Access to Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Program

SB 5649 factsheet

Paid Family and Medical Leave
BIPOC Women’s Experiences Using Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Program

EOI collaborated with Families of Color Seattle to conduct two listening sessions in March 2021 on BIPOC women’s experiences with Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program - here's what we learned

Responses of BIPOC Workers to Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Program

Blog Feed

Paid Family and Medical Leave

June 30, 2022

Winning Equitable Paid Family and Medical Leave for All Washington Families

Family isn't one-size-fits-all - work-family laws shouldn't be either

An Inclusive Economy

March 11, 2022

2022 Legislative Session Review

Washington legislators made good decisions but the measures passed will not reverse the 40-year trend of growing income inequality.

Paid Family and Medical Leave

January 28, 2022

With Strategic Investments and Improvements, Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program will Support Families for Generations to Come

PFML has improved the health and economic resilience of Washington families