theboz14 OP t1_jdnqx4n wrote on March 25, 2023 at 7:52 PM

Reply to comment by effCoVid-19 in PFML denial for Military Reserve deployment by theboz14

Im not taking FMLA.

PFML

You can take for

Family leave is used to take paid time off to:

Care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Bond with a new child born or placed into your family.

Spend time with a family member who is about to be deployed overseas, is returning from overseas deployment or dealing with family issues related to the deployment.

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:

The following family members of a person in the military can take Paid Leave:

Spouses and domestic partners

Children (biological, adopted, foster or stepchild)

Parents and legal guardians (and spouse’s parents)

Siblings

Grandchildren

Grandparents (and 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.

What is military exigency?

Military member’s active duty or call to active duty status as qualifying exigency leave. Such events may include leave to spend time with a covered military member either prior to or post deployment, or to attend to household emergencies that would normally have been handled by the covered military member.

PFML is completely different then FMLA. One is Federal and the other is just for Washington residents that have worked 840 hours in the prior 12 month period.

As stated I am taking it because my wife is leaving for deployment and I will need to take care of my two kids while they are out of school. I cant afford having my two kids in daycare for 10+ hours a day 5 days a week. I also stated I have been approved 4 times prior for the exact same thing and had no issues taking it and unlike FMLA i will get 90% of my pay per week as they see my average work week is 50 hours a week for the last 12 month period.

effCoVid-19 t1_jdq5hh1 wrote on March 26, 2023 at 9:09 AM

Well, this is IRONIC! I also live in Western WA. My husband is a Building Inspector for the City of Kirkland.

I left my job in 2018 from a School District where I worked for 16 years. The last 5 years I was union president for everyone who wasn't a teacher. I started taking care of my in-laws in 2016 and originally asked for a 1 year leave of absence to get their medical issues figured out. Admin countered and asked if I would be willing to take on a new role and work 1 day per week, and continue as union president. I agreed and did that for 2 years. Ultimately, their needs took up my time and I formally resigned. We currently have my mother-in-law in a facility in Marysville and I spend time with her regularly as she is on hospice for cancer. I fully intend to run for school board in my area this year as my next step after she passes.

Washington State Paid Family & Medical Leave was not in existence until 2020(ish) so it is still a new state program with bugs to work out. Just like WA State Labor & Industries (L&I), it will go through growing pains and people will abuse it. And just like L&I they will collect the premiums but scrutinize all payouts.

I fully understand now your frustration wasn't towards your employer for denying your 12 week leave request, it was with the State of WA for denying your Paid Family Leave, requiring you to resubmit with additional documentation.