Employee Benefits Package

Your total compensation is much more than just your salary. Today it means health care benefits, retirement options, paid time off, work environment, job satisfaction, and so much more.

The state's total compensation plan emphasizes families and career employment, investing in the growth and retention of good employees. Our compensation package is a combination of salary, benefits and other employee programs.

Vacation, Holidays and Leave

VACATION LEAVE

Employees earn 12-25 days of paid vacation per year depending on the length of employment. Qualified employees may also donate leave to assist other employees through an extended absence. Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro rata basis.

PAID HOLIDAYS

Full-time employees are entitled to 11 paid holidays, and one personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four months.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Three (3) days of paid bereavement leave are available to employees who suffer the loss of a family or household member.

CIVIL LEAVE

Employees are allowed leave with pay for jury duty or to perform other civil duties. Leave pay will be equal to full salary for the time involved.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles employees who have worked for the state for at least twelve (12) months and for at least one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours during the previous twelve-month period to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.

LEAVE WITHOUT PAY

In addition to FMLA, leave without pay is available for other qualifying conditions.

MILITARY LEAVE

Military training leave with pay is permitted to a maximum of 21 work days in any one year. An employee entering military service, U.S. Peace Corps, or U.S. Public Health Service for active duty is entitled to leave of absence without pay. The employee will be restored to his or her position, or one of similar classification and salary, in state service if reinstatement is requested within 90 days after release from active duty.

SHARED LEAVE

Employees may donate accrued leave to a fellow state employee who must take leave without pay as a result of a condition, including suffering from or having a relative or household member suffering from an extraordinary or severe illness or impairment, who has been called to service in the uniformed services, who is or has a spouse who is a service member or veteran attending medical appointments or treatments for a service-connected medical condition, who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.

SICK LEAVE

Full-time employees earn one day of sick leave each month. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro rata basis.

UNIFORMED SERVICES SHARED LEAVE

The Uniformed Services Shared Leave Program (USSLP) allows employees to donate leave to eligible state employees who have been called to serve in the uniformed services. The USSLP is administered by the Military Department.

Special Employee Programs

COMBINED FUND DRIVE

The Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is Washington State’s workplace giving program for active and retired public employees. State and higher education employees are invited to give to the charity of their choice through payroll contribution.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Employees may seek confidential, professional help with personal or work-related problems through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). There is no charge for assessment or assistance. EAP services are available statewide.