Paid Family Leave Policy Success

Family Leave

Without access to paid leave, few can afford time off to care for family.

Federal family leave laws guarantee only unpaid time off, and nearly half of all workers don’t even qualify for that, risking the health of children and aging parents.

To tackle the problem, EOI brought together organizations representing seniors, women, labor, health professionals, children, faith communities, low income workers and employers – the Washington Family Leave Coalition – to update the state’s workplace standards to meet the needs of today’s families and businesses. Our successes include:

2002: The Family Care Act updates a 1988 law to allow workers to use most forms of paid leave to care for ill children, spouses, parents, parents-in-law and grandparents.

2006: The Washington Family and Medical Leave Act protects workers in the event federal law or rules change to limit their access to leave under the existing federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

2007: Washington Family Leave Insurance (FLI) passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Christine Gregoire. Once implemented in October 2012, it will ensure Washington workers can take up to 5 weeks of paid family leave.

Washington’s success in enacting modern workplace standards makes it a leader in the national movement for paid family leave and paid sick days, promoting healthier workers, families, workplaces and communities.