Family and Medical Leave

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) And Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)

Benton County recognizes there will be times when employees need time off to care for themselves or to care for their family.  While there are several different leave protection programs out there to give you assurance to take the time you need; this page is to provide you with at-your-fingertips information about the two primary leave protection programs utilized at Benton County. 

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

The FMLA is a federal law that provides eligible employees (if you have worked with Benton County for at least 12 months and have worked at least 1250 hours in that period) with unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of health insurance coverage and County health benefit contribution. Eligible employees can receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave in a 12-month period. Benton County utilizes a rolling 12-month measurement period. The FMLA also allows eligible employees to take up to 26 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a “single 12-month period” to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness.

The program is administered by Benton County and a medical certification form completed by a healthcare provider may be required. If you wish to apply, please contact HR so that we can send you the required documentation and start the certification process. You will be required to utilize personal leave banks while on FMLA unless you apply and are approved for Washington PFML.

The Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD) and is designed to provide partial wage replacement for eligible employees when a serious health condition keeps them from working, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition. In addition to providing partial wages, if you have been employed with the County for at least 180 days, this program also protects your position at the County and provides continuation of health benefits as well as County contribution to your insurance.  Benton County does not provide a supplemental benefit. If you apply for PFML and are approved, you will key any PFML time as leave without pay (LWOP) on your timecard. 

For more PFML information, including eligibility criteria:

Click here to visit the Paid Leave Website.

Family and Medical Leave FAQs