City of Tacoma Government Employee Paid Family & Medical Leave
This Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) web page pertains to City of Tacoma General Government and Tacoma Public Utilities employees only.
Community members seeking information on this program should visit the State of Washington web page.
Overview
The Paid Family and Medical Leave program is a mandatory statewide insurance program that provides paid family and medical leave to eligible employees. The program is administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD) not the City of Tacoma.
Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program does not replace the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
View the City of Tacoma FAQ on PFML
City of Tacoma PFML Policy
Policy 3.16 Paid Family and Medical Leave
Eligibility
Employees may receive PFML benefits from ESD if they meet eligibility criteria and experience a qualifying event.
Eligible Employees
Have worked at least 820 hours in the state of Washington during the “qualifying period.”
- The “qualifying period” is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters -OR-
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The last four completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the application for leave.
Qualifying Event(s)
Leave events can be either family or medical.
Family Leave
- Care & bond after a baby’s birth or the placement of a child younger than 18
- Care for a family member experiencing an illness or medical event
- Certain military-connected events
- Effective June 9, 2022: You may also use family leave for the seven days following the loss of a child if you meet one of these requirements
- You would have qualified for prenatal or postnatal medical leave for the birth of your child. RCW 50A.05.010(22)(a)(ii)(B),
- You would have qualified for family leave to bond with your child during the first 12 months after birth, or
- You had a child under the age of 18 placed in your home and qualified for bonding leave within the first 12 months of placement.
Medical Leave
- Care for yourself in relation to an illness or medical event
Family leave may be used to care for:
- Spouses and domestic partners
- Children (biological, adopted, foster or stepchild, legal guardian, de facto or loco parentis)
- Parents and legal guardians (or spouse’s parents)
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Grandparents (or spouse’s grandparents)
- Son-in-law and daughter-in-law
- Someone who has an expectation to rely on you for care—whether you live together or not.
Employee Benefits
The weekly PFML benefit amount is calculated by ESD and will depend on how much the employee earns in a typical week. The maximum weekly benefit amount for claim years that begin in 2025 is $1,542. The maximum weekly benefit amount for claims that began in 2024 (even if the claim continues into 2025) is $1,456 per week. The minimum is $100 (unless you make less than an average of $100 per week, then you will receive your full wage). Claim years are set upon the application date of the first approved benefit claim.
Payable benefits will be provided by ESD.
Minimum Claim Duration
The minimum claim duration payment is for eight (8) consecutive hours of leave.
Maximum Claim Duration
Qualified Washington workers are eligible for:
- Up to 12 weeks of paid family or medical leave
- Up to 16 weeks of combined medical and family leave if you have events covered by both in the same year.
- An additional two (2) weeks of leave is available as a result of pregnancy complications
Filing a Claim
Individuals are able to apply for paid leave benefits online through ESD’s Paid Family & Medical Leave website. Filing a claim for paid leave benefits with ESD is a separate process from requesting leave from the City of Tacoma.
Employee Responsibility to Provide Notice
If you know you will be applying for PFML, you must provide written notice to your employer at least 30-days in advance. If the need for leave is unforeseeable, notify your employer as soon as possible.
Examples that count as written notice are:
- Letter (typed or handwritten)
- Email
- Text Message
Your notice should also include:
- Date of notice
- Type of leave you will be taking: Family, medical leave or a combination of both
- Your anticipated start and end date of your leave or the expected duration of leave (if available)
All written notices should be sent to your supervisor, and the Disability and Leave management (DLM) Office. It is recommended you keep a copy for your records.
Coding Time off while on PFML: While on PFML, please ensure your leave is coded correctly in SAP by using the City's PFML leave codes. If you have any questions about entering your leave, please contact your department timekeeper.