February 2023 | Issue 31
WA Cares: Washington’s newest worker benefit
Monthly webinars
Your employees probably have a lot of questions regarding WA Cares. That’s why we host a webinar each month on Zoom to discuss new topics related to aging and caregiving. Each webinar includes a basic overview of WA Cares and how the program relates to that month’s issue. Check out our schedule online for upcoming dates and topics.
Can’t join live? Recordings are available via the WA Cares YouTube channel, including our most recent edition, "WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know".
Want WA Cares information sent straight to your email? Sign up for our mailing list!
Paid Leave: What to know in 2023
Updated resources now available
We’ve updated tools and documents on Paid Leave’s website to keep up with the changes implemented on Jan. 1, 2023. Our website is home to a wide range of resources that you can use to become familiar with your role as an employer, the benefits available to your employees and grants available to small businesses.
Here are just a few of the resources available:
Many other resources are available in the Help Center and on our employer pages, including information and tools in Spanish.
Employer webinars
There’s plenty to know about Paid Leave, and we’re committed to making your experience as easy as possible with helpful information and resources. Join us for an employer-focused webinar. We'll cover Paid Leave premium collection, quarterly reporting, payments, and more!
Join us for a live webinar on Thursday, March 2, 10 to 11 a.m. Register now to attend — this webinar is limited to 200 participants.
Unemployment Insurance (UI): Voluntary Contribution Program could help reduce your tax rate
Did you receive an application?
If so, that means you’re qualified to take advantage of the program. It allows you to reimburse the unemployment insurance trust fund for unemployment benefits. In exchange, we will subtract those benefit charges from your experience rating account.
If you did not get an application for voluntary contributions, you are not eligible for the program.
How it works
You make a one-time payment – for either part or all of the unemployment benefits paid to former (or current) employees during the past two fiscal years. We subtract those benefit charges from your account, which reduces your tax rate for the current tax period.
Recent legislation may make the program more appealing
The Voluntary Contribution Program has been available since 1995, but ESSB 5061 may increase its benefit to your company’s bottom line in 2023.
- You no longer need to pay the 10% surcharge fee that we normally charge to use the program.
- The program is open to employers who are moving eight rate classes or more rather than 12 or more.
- Employers can buy down a minimum of two rate classes instead of four.
How to participate
If you qualify, we send you an application with a due date for response. Return it by the due date with your payment for the exact amount shown in "Benefit charge contribution."
We will then mail you a tax-rate notice confirming your new tax rate. You can view your tax rate online in Employer Account Management Services (EAMS).
For more information, visit esd.wa.gov/employer-taxes/voluntary-contribution.
U.S. Dept. of Labor (USDOL): Upcoming webinar
For employers who are federal contractors
The USDOL Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Seattle District Office and Washington state WorkSource are hosting a webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. The webinar will help federal supply and service contractors determine how to prepare for a compliance review. Employers will also receive information on how to work with WorkSource to meet the posting requirements. Register now to attend.
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