On August 1, 2016, King County will be modifying the administration of the King County Family and Medical Leave (KCFML) benefit for most of its employees.  Employees eligible for KCFML will be provided with up to eighteen weeks of leave for either the employee’s own serious health condition or to care for a family member with a serious health condition.  The KCFML benefit will run concurrently with other federal, state and county leaves to the extent allowed, including the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the County’s pilot Paid Parental Leave. 

During the KCFML period, the county shall continue its contribution towards healthcare benefits, regardless of whether the employee is in a paid or unpaid status.  An employee who returns to work from KCFML is entitled to his or her original job or to an equivalent job with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment, subject to reductions-in-force provisions. 

Additional information regarding the changes to KCFML will be made available in July 2016.  Information regarding family and medical leaves is available by contacting your human resources representative and on the King County Benefits, Payroll and Retirement website at:  https://www.kingcounty.gov/employees/benefits/LeaveAdministration.aspx

A list of labor organizations and bargaining units affected by this change is available here.