Navigating High Risk Leave Policies by Rocke Law provides Washington employers, HR leaders, and managers with a practical, compliance focused roadmap for managing complex employee leave scenarios. The session examines how paid sick leave, Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), federal FMLA, safe leave, PTO, and disability related accommodations intersect, and where employers face the greatest legal risk—including the use of a newly required notice form. Using real world absence scenarios, the session emphasizes timely employer notices, documentation requirements, job protection rules, benefit coordination, and health insurance obligations. Attendees learn how missed notices or tracking failures can result in extended or unlimited protected leave, and how well-designed written policies, templates, and internal procedures help reduce exposure while maintaining lawful, ethical leave practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between FMLA, PFML, and Paid Sick Leave eligibility and coverage rules, including employer size thresholds, employee eligibility criteria, and job protection requirements.

• Determine when FMLA and PFML run concurrently and understand the employer’s obligation to designate, track, and provide written notice even if an employee does not apply for PFML benefits.

• Meet new critical employer notice and response deadlines, including five day notice requirements, ongoing monthly notices, and documentation standards that cap protected leave periods.

• Manage high risk absences lawfully, including intermittent leave, extended medical leave, and no call/no show situations, while avoiding retaliation or interference claims.

• Reduce legal and financial exposure by implementing compliant written policies, posting and handbook requirements, leave tracking practices, and health benefit continuation procedures during protected leave.

Meet the Speakers:

Aaron Rocke, Rocke Law

Aaron Rocke is the founder of Rocke Law and a trusted advisor to employers, executives, and HR leaders navigating high stakes employment decisions. His practice focuses on employment law litigation, disputes, and advice. Known for his practical, business minded approach, Aaron helps employers respond to risk with clarity and consistency, and he is a frequent speaker and adjunct law professor who brings real world litigation perspective to proactive workplace decision making.