This memo is to clarify the purpose of a change to WAC 357-31-245 effective September 16, 2009. See WSR 09-17-062.
This change allows employees who have been injured on the job to receive time-loss compensation under Washington's workers' compensation program administered by the department of labor and industries and sick leave for the same missed work days. This change makes the rule consistent with the state administrative and accounting manual (SAAM).
A change to the civil service rules is not required because an amendment was adopted during the 2007 legislative session to RCW 51.32.090 of the workers' compensation laws. According to the department of labor and industries, the 2007 amendment to the workers' compensation laws provides that sick leave cannot be considered the payment of wages by an employer to avoid time-loss compensation (commonly referred to as "kept-on-salary").
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Kristie Wilson at (360) 664-6408.
Eva Santos
Director