1. (1) An employee is not entitled to rights under RCW 50A.35.010 if:

   1. (a) An employer exercises its right to deny restoration under RCW 50A.35.010 and the employee has elected not to return to employment after receiving notice under subsection (2) of this section; or
   2. (b) The employer is able to show that an employee would not otherwise have been employed at the time the employee would return to work after the employee's family or medical leave under Title 50A RCW ends, subject to the limitations described in chapter 49.45 RCW.

2. (2) An employer that chooses to deny restoration under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section to an employee on paid medical or family leave must notify the employee in writing as soon as the employer decides to deny restoration. The employer must serve this notice to the employee either in person or by certified mail. The notice must include:

   1. (a) A statement that the employer intends to deny employment restoration when the leave has ended;
   2. (b) The reasons behind the decision to deny restoration;
   3. (c) An explanation that health benefits will still be paid for the duration of the leave; and
   4. (d) The date on which eligibility for employer-provided health benefits ends.
3. (3) Employers that choose to deny restoration under this section must provide continuation of health benefits as required in RCW 50A.35.020 and WAC 192-700-020.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.05.060 and chapter 49.45 RCW. WSR 26-03-045, s 192-700-010, filed 1/14/26, effective 2/14/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.05.060. WSR 21-04-067, § 192-700-010, filed 1/29/21, effective 3/1/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.05.060, 50A.35.010, and 50A.35.020. WSR 20-11-035, § 192-700-010, filed 5/14/20, effective 6/14/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.05.60 [ 50A.05.060] and 50A.25.030. WSR 20-01-087, § 192-700-010, filed 12/12/19, effective 1/12/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 50A.04.215. WSR 19-16-081, § 192-700-010, filed 7/31/19, effective 8/31/19.]