Walton County School District recognizes that during an employee’s career, they may be faced with a personal or family illness or other life event that requires them to be away from work for an extended period of time. The district is committed to providing eligible employees with leave afforded under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993.

Effective July 1, 2021, Georgia House Bill 146 provides up to 120 hours of paid parental leave (PPL), regardless of the number of qualifying events, during a rolling 12-month period for eligible employees who are welcoming a new child to their family through birth, adoption or foster placement. Employees shall be eligible for paid parental leave for qualifying life events after 6 months of continuous service. Paid parental leave will run concurrently with FMLA and must be used within 12 months after the qualifying life event.  Unused paid parental leave has no cash value.  A separate request must be submitted for paid parental leave.

In addition, WCSD offers voluntary short-term and long-term disability insurance to benefit-eligible employees to help provide income protection in the event an employee should become totally disabled as a result of an illness or accidental injury.  The coverage is offered through The Standard Insurance Company, which is administered by The State of Georgia Flexible Benefits Program.