This leave is intended for situations where you or a member of your immediate family is sick, injured, or experiencing an unexpected emergency. Immediate family includes a child, parent, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or any individual who depends on the employee for care.

Examples of when this leave may be used include:

• Your own illness, injury, or medical condition
• Caring for a sick or injured family member
• Medical appointments that cannot reasonably be scheduled outside of work hours
• Unexpected emergencies such as severe weather, accidents, or urgent family situations

Employees should notify their supervisor and/or schedule their absence through Red Rover as soon as possible when this type of leave is needed.

Employees who need extended time off for medical or family reasons may qualify for leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs.

These types of leave generally apply when:

• A medical condition results in five or more consecutive days away from work
• You need time to care for a family member (spouse, child, parent) with a serious health condition 
• You are recovering from your own serious health condition
• You need time for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child

Employees should work directly with the district Leave Coordinator to determine eligibility and complete the required paperwork (see process below).

REQUESTING FMLA/WA PFML

Step 1: Notify your supervisor as soon as possible.

Step 2: Email payroll with the reason for your requested leave (e.g. medical leave, parental leave, maternity leave, etc.) and anticipated leave dates.

Step 3: HR will review your email and send you the appropriate form to complete.

Step 4: Once the completed form is received by HR, we will review it, confirm eligibility, and communicate next steps - including pay, benefits, and return-to-work information.

Personal leave allows employees to take time away from work for personal matters that cannot reasonably be scheduled outside of work hours. Because district positions follow the school-year calendar and consistent staffing is important for students, personal leave is limited and subject to contract language.

Employees should:

• Request personal leave in advance whenever possible
• Obtain supervisor approval (some collective bargaining agreements require advanced notice, e.g. 24 hours)
• Follow any additional limitations outlined in their bargaining agreement.

Personal leave should not interfere with critical school operations or major district events whenever possible.

Bereavement leave provides time off following the death of a family member or loved one. This leave allows employees time to grieve, make arrangements, and attend services.

Bereavement leave may be used for the death of:

• A spouse or domestic partner
• Parent or parent-in-law
• Child
• Sibling
• Other relatives or close personal relationships, depending on contract language

The number of days available may vary based on employee group and contract provisions.

As a school district, we have a responsibility to our students, and consistent staff presence is essential to providing the services, instruction, and support they rely on each day. For this reason, employees are expected to be present and work all days included in their assigned contract.

Leave without pay is generally not intended for routine absences and is strongly discouraged. Requests for leave after all accrued sick, vacation, and personal leave has been exhausted may be denied except in unusual circumstances and, if approved, will be unpaid.

Leave without pay may be considered only for:

• Unforeseen emergencies or extraordinary circumstances
• Once-in-a-lifetime events that cannot reasonably occur at another time. 

Employees who believe they have a compelling need for leave without pay must submit a written request for approval in advance whenever possible. Approval is not guaranteed and will depend on the circumstances and the impact on school or district operations.

REQUESTING LWOP: