August 2025 | Issue 65
Submit all Paid Family & Medical Leave
reports before we calculate business size in September
We calculate business size on Sept. 30, 2025, for the next year. To do this, we average the number of employees you reported over the previous four quarters.
Your business size determines if you will pay the employer's portion of the quarterly premiums for 2026.
Bring your reports up to date
Log into your employer account and check your wage report status to make sure you have successfully submitted for every quarter, including quarters with no payroll. Each quarterly reporting period should have a status of “Processed.”
If the status is “Rejected”
We found an issue with your submission. Correct any errors or warnings in your file and resubmit.
If the status shows nothing
You are missing a report.
- Select the reporting period and choose your filing method.
- Upload your file, enter your employee wage data or select “I have no payroll to report.”
- Submit.
If the report submission was successful, the status will change to “Processed” in 24 to 48 hours.
If our calculations show that your business size changes, we will send you a letter in late October.
Read more about business sizing on the small business page of the Paid Leave website.
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Washington state expands federal WARN Act requirements and penalties
As of July 27, 2025, the state expanded on the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The WARN Act requires companies planning a mass layoff to notify workers 60 days before the closure. The new law enforces stricter penalties for businesses that do not comply with it. It also now applies to more organizations.
Tips for filling out
“Requests for Separation Information” forms
After one of your workers applies for unemployment benefits, we send you a Request for Separation Information (RSI) form. When you return it, double-check that you fill in all the required information. This is important even when you agree with the worker’s stated separation reason.
Your thorough response to the RSI means we don’t have to reach out to you again with follow-up requests. Running your business is a lot of work and takes a lot of your time. To reduce the burden on you, be sure your RSI response includes:
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The name and number of the person you want us to contact if we need more information.
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Any supporting documents you have. For example: warnings, policies, signed acknowledgements, witness statements, and termination or resignation letters.
If you have questions about an RSI, please call the employer line at the Unemployment Claims Center at 877-504-5607. Be ready to enter your 12-digit ESD employer account number so we can route your call properly.
Employers have new requirements when moving call center work out of the United States
As of July 27, 2025, employers have new responsibilities when moving call center work out of the United States. The state Call Center Jobs Act affects employers with 50 or more employees who intend to move a call center outside of the United States. It applies when the move is for either:
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Facilities within a call center responsible for 25% or more of the typical month's volume of work.
Find our contact information
If you have questions related to unemployment taxes or benefits, about Paid Leave or WA Cares reporting, SharedWork and more, reach out!
Find our contact information on the Employment Security website.
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