Advisory Committee Meeting December 13, 2018 1
P RESENTATION O VERVIEW Introductions Introductions Approve November Meeting Minutes Approve November Meeting Minutes Policy Discussion Policy Discussion Operations Update Operations Update Technology Update Technology Update Open Comment Open Comment 2
I NTRODUCTIONS ►Advisory committee ►In-person attendees (Note: We will use the conference call feature to identify who is on the phone rather than announce during meeting) 3
A PPROVE N OVEMBER M INUTES ►Discussion 4
P OLICY D ISCUSSION ►Introduce Brittany McVicar ►Elected officials- Are elected officials covered by PFML? 5
W HO IS INCLUDED IN PFML? ►Almost all Washington employers and employees are required to participate in Paid Family and Medical Leave. ►Exceptions ►The federal government and its employees - RCW 50A.04.010(6)(b) ►Federally-recognized tribes and their employees - RCW 50A.04.110 ►Self-employed individuals - RCW 50A.04.010(7)(b)(i) 6
W HO IS CONSIDERED AN EMPLOYEE ? ►Key questions: ►Is the person in employment? ►“Employment” means “personal service, of whatever nature, unlimited by the relationship of master and servant as known to the common law or any other legal relationship performed for wages...” [RCW 50A.04.010(7)(a)] ►“Wages” does not include payments made to cover costs, such as travel or meal stipends. ►If yes, is the person in the employment of an employer? ►“Employer” means: “…(ii) the state, state institutions, and state agencies; and (iii) any unit of local government including, but not limited to, a county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation, or political subdivision.” [RCW 50A.04.010(6)(a)] ►If the answer to both of these questions is yes, the person is considered an employee. 7
E LECTED OFFICIALS – P AID ►Is a paid elected official in employment? ►Yes. The official is performing services in exchange for wages. ►Is a paid elected official in the employment of an employer? ►Yes. The relevant government entity is the employer. ►Result: Paid elected officials are required to participate. 8
E LECTED OFFICIALS – U NPAID ►Is an unpaid elected official in employment? ►No. Since no wages are paid, the official is not considered in employment for the purposes of PFML. ►Result: Unpaid elected officials are not required to participate. 9
W HAT ABOUT U NEMPLOYMENT I NSURANCE ? ►The definitions of “employment,” “employer,” and “wage” align with Unemployment Insurance. ►Elected officials are statutorily exempt from Unemployment Insurance – RCW 50.44.040(10)(a). ►This exemption does not exist in PFML law. 10
O PERATIONS U PDATE ►Call Statistics ►Other Updates ►Voluntary Plan Statistics & Best Practices 11
C USTOMER C ARE C ALLS BY WEEK 400 350 Total 300 Number of Calls per Week Voluntary Plans 250 Premiums 200 Reporting 150 100 50 0 20-Aug 27-Aug 3-Sep 10-Sep 17-Sep 24-Sep 1-Oct 8-Oct 15-Oct 22-Oct 29-Oct 5-Nov 12-Nov 19-Nov 26-Nov 3-Dec Week Beginning 12
C USTOMER CARE CALLS AND COMMUNICATIONS 2 nd Email 1 st DOR List Email 400 350 Number of Calls Handled 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1-Nov 3-Nov 5-Nov 7-Nov 9-Nov 11-Nov 13-Nov 15-Nov 17-Nov 19-Nov 21-Nov 23-Nov 25-Nov 27-Nov 29-Nov 1-Dec 3-Dec 5-Dec 7-Dec Mailer likely received 13
O THER O PERATIONS U PDATES : ►Development of FAQs – tracking, standardize responses ►Elective Coverage 14
C USTOMER C ARE T EAM Service Delivery Managers & Training Manager Cohort 2 Cohort 1 Cohort 3 15
V OLUNTARY P LANS DASHBOARD ►Voluntary Plans Processed as of 12/7 Completed Average of days applications, from completed Month Initial including application to (initial application) application payment Approved approval September 2 2 1 14.0 October 22 22 13 17.8 November 100 70 16 13.0 December (to 12/7) 27 5 -- -- Total 151 99 30 15.1 ►Family only: 6 Medical only: 27 Both: 118 16
V OLUNTARY P LAN A PPLICATION - B EST P RACTICES 1. Read the Voluntary Plan Guide to prepare; 2. Identify the gaps in existing policy from the PFML program requirements; 3. Stipulate the leave entitlement specific to PFML; 4. Provide sufficient details for determination review; 5. Ensure definitions match those required under the law. 17
T ECHNOLOGY U PDATE F OR THE G OOD OF THE O RDER ►Open Comment 18
C ONTINUE THE Visit us online at C ONVERSATION www.paidleave.wa.gov Carla Reyes Director, Paid Family & Medical Leave Washington State Employment Security Department Join our listserv at (360) 485-2349 bit.ly/PaidLeaveList CReyes@ESD.WA.GOV Ask questions and make comments on our public forum at bit.ly/CommentForum 19
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