The HRTech Wire

Washington Paid Leave Premium Increases Jan. 1

Washington's Paid Family & Medical Leave premium rises to 1.2% from 1.13% on Jan. 1, 2027. Employers pay 29.3% of the premium and employees 70.7%, though employers may cover some or all of the employee share. Employers with fewer than 50 workers generally owe no employer share unless they take a small-business assistance grant, which requires three years of paying it. Premiums apply to gross wages excluding tips, up to the Social Security wage cap, and missed employee premiums cannot be withheld retroactively. Q1 reports and premiums are due April 30, 2027.