WordierThanThou t1_jdm9tko wrote on March 25, 2023 at 1:24 PM

Reply to comment by LostInTheWildPlace in Can You Opt Out of The Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave PFML? by ukranianvodkafactory

“That means you don’t get paid leave down the road if you need it though”

Honest question, are they charging you for the benefit of paid leave now? I get paid leave through my employer without an extra tax just through my sick days. If I happen to exhaust those, I get 40 extra sick days through their sick leave bank (I’m a member at a cost of 1 sick day a year). If I exhaust those, my private short term leave insurance kicks in which is much, much cheaper than the tax they are imposing for this benefit.

WordierThanThou t1_jdm8juh wrote on March 25, 2023 at 1:13 PM

Reply to Can You Opt Out of The Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave PFML? by ukranianvodkafactory

I’m considering moving to WA, so this is something to consider. This and the 2035 gas vehicle ban.

In my current state I earn 50k as a teacher. I am a member of a sick leave bank benefit which grants me sick days that I may not have at the time I need them. I gave up 2 sick days when I enrolled and I give up one sick day a year to be a member.

I recently had surgery and I was out for 12 weeks. The sick leave bank and my existing sick days covered my entire FMLA. I pay into short term disability just in case through my medical insurance and I didn’t even have to use it. The short term disability I pay for is $265/yr.

At the .08 premium of the PFML tax I’d have to pay $400 a year. That’s not the best deal. Especially since teachers are also offered a sick leave bank benefit in Washington. So they are paying extra for a benefit they are already offered at a much cheaper cost.