by Marti Cardi, Esq. - Senior Compliance Consultant and Legal Counsel
& Gail Cohen, Esq. - Assistant General Counsel, Employment and Litigation
March 14, 2019
We know employers have been on the edge of their seats wondering when and how they can begin their required Washington paid family and medical leave reporting for Q1 slated for April 1-30.
Well, calm yourself. 
The state just announced that first quarter employer reporting is being delayed until July 1-31, 2019. Likewise, Q1 payments to the state for employer and employee premium contributions for those employers using the state PFML plan have been delayed. At that time, employers will make 2 separate reports, and payments if applicable, for 2019 Q1 and Q2.
More information can be found on the state’s website, particularly the rollout FAQs and the email notice to employers. One point of note: The delay in the reporting and payment deadlines for Q1 does NOT affect the start of PFML benefits on January 1, 2020.
We at Matrix have been watching the WA PFML website and announcements regularly for information about procedures for employers to fulfill their requirements for reporting and premium payments for Q1. I’m guessing the state needs more time to get the technology in order. Not a big surprise, considering they can’t even accept electronic payments yet for voluntary plan application fees.
The employees of the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) who answer our calls and emails have been very kind to deal with and offer as much assistance as the statute allows. But I hope other states in the process of implementing or considering paid family and medical leave are watching. The PFML law passed by the state legislature did not allow ESD enough time to develop the program procedures, regulations, and technologies. The ESD staff is left with tough questions and, sometimes, no good answers. Hang in there ESD folks, and thanks for what you do!
Matrix can help! At Matrix we offer administration of Washington voluntary plans for paid family and medical leave. These include providing a plan template, filing the plan with the state, fielding ESD questions, and seeing the plan through to approval. Then Matrix will administer the PFML leave and benefits for your Washington employees, along with other Washington statutory leaves, the FMLA, and your company policies. For assistance and more information, contact us at [email protected] or through your Account Manager.