Pay during FMLA leave
Last updated: April 30, 2026
This page applies to all staff, academic personnel, and student employees.
FMLA-covered leave is unpaid unless you use one or more of your time off options while absent. Possible pay continuation options include:
- Sick time off
- Vacation time off
- Personal holiday
- Compensatory time off
- Holiday credit
- Discretionary time off
- Shared leave (for employees who accrue time off)
You may also have the option to take unpaid time off.
If you are a contract covered staff employee, check your collective bargaining agreement to determine if you must use types of paid time off in a particular order.
For faculty
FMLA-covered leave is unpaid unless you have faculty sick or parental leave available (up to 90 days per academic year).
PFML Partial Wage Replacement
All employees (faculty, academic personnel, staff and student employees) who have worked for the University (or the State of Washington) for 180 days can also apply for PFML partial wage replacement benefits during a leave covered by FMLA.