Federal Way
Public Schools
Leaves and Accommodations
Federal Way Public Schools values employees' well-being and believe in encouraging work-life balance. To that end, we offer a comprehensive leave policy that offers a range of options to accommodate various personal needs. Additionally, employees are encouraged to review their Collective Bargaining Agreement to better understand leave options available to them.
When you are ready to begin the process, please email hrleaves@fwps.org and you will receive an email with valuable information that will help with next steps.
In this section, there are also links to the Leave Share Program, Non-Medical Leaves, ADA Accommodations and Maternity/Paternity Leaves. Please explore the links to the right for additional information.
What is the difference between FMLA and PFML?
The Federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is an unpaid leave entitlement that provides job and health insurance protection -- while keeping a job open for your return-- when eligible employees take a leave of absence for a qualifying reason. If you are eligible for FMLA, your request is processed by the Leaves Specialist in Human Resources.
The Washington State Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) program is a Washington State program that provides partial wage replacement in the form of a weekly benefit paid by ESD while claiming this benefit. Employees choose whether and when to file a PFML claim. PFML does not replace FMLA. In many cases, PFML and FMLA will run at the same time.
| AT A GLANCE | FMLA | PFML |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility |
Must have worked 12 months and 1,250 hours for FWPS. |
Must have worked 820 hours in the state of WA in the qualifying period. |
| Job protection |
Must have worked 12 months and 1,250 hours for FWPS prior to start of FMLA leave. |
Must have worked 12 months and 1,250 hours prior to start of PFML leave. |
| Pay | Unpaid. An eligible employee may use leave balance hours during an approved FMLA leave. |
Up to 90 percent of your average weekly wages with a weekly cap. |
| How to apply |
|
|
| Employee notice to district |
|
Provide written notice at least 30 days before you plan to take PFML leave (may or may not be same date you first take leave from FWPS). Provide notice as soon as you are able to if your leave is not planned. |
| Length of leave of absence | Up to 12 weeks a year; can be extended depending on qualifying events. | Up to 12 weeks a year; can be extended depending on qualifying events. |
| Family Member Definition | Child, parent, spouse, state registered domestic partner. |
Same as FMLA, but also includes grandchildren, grandparents, siblings, in-laws. |
Accommodations:
For information on Accommodations please visit:
Requesting a Leave of Absence
For information regarding FMLA, visit: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
For information regarding PFML, visit: Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
For information regarding Military Leave, Personal Leaves & other non-medical leaves visit: Non-Medical Leaves
Requesting Leave
If you are requesting medical leave (FMLA, PFML or both), complete the following steps:
- Give at least 30 days’ notice, if you know in advance of your need to take a leave of absence.
- If your leave is more immediate, (you know less than 30 days from the anticipated start of the leave), please request it as soon as possible.
- Submit a leave of absence request via the link below:leave Request form
- Print out the appropriate Medical Certification form from the list below and bring it to your provider to complete.
- If applying for PFML: Visit www.paidleave.wa.gov to apply. NOTE: Must wait until after the qualifying event has already happened (e.g. after baby is born, after surgery, etc.).
Medical Certification Forms: