L&I furloughs will mean reduced services for four days in July
TUMWATER — Starting this week, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is participating in the state’s furlough plan as a result of the budget shortfall related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Many L&I employees will be furloughed on the following four dates in July:
- Thursday, July 2
- Friday, July 10
- Friday, July 17
- Friday, July 24
L&I’s Tumwater and field office locations will be closed to the public on furlough days, and many employees will not respond to phone calls and email on those days. L&I is also closed Friday, July 3, to observe Independence Day.
L&I services vital to public health and safety — Insurance Services, Occupational Safety and Health, and electrical inspections — have some staff working on furlough days. This ensures there are no delays in workers’ compensation benefits, and quicker responses to urgent workplace safety and health issues. People can contact these groups as normal:
Insurance Services: Contact the assigned claim manager.
Occupational Safety and Health: 1-800-4BE-SAFE.
The Electrical Program staff will continue to perform scheduled inspections on these days.
After July, many L&I employees will be required to take one furlough day a month through November. Dates for the monthly furlough days have not been determined.
Tim Church, L&I Director of Communications, 360-972-4876
Communication Services | www.Lni.wa.gov/news-events
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