Family Friendly Employment

Whatcom County supports healthy family work-life balance for employees to:
   
  • Increase the number of people, particularly women, returning to work after parental leave.
  • Improve organization efficiency through long service (institutional memory).
  • Allow parents to spend more and better time engaging with their children.
  • Reduce stress and stress-related absences.

Whether you're thinking about starting a family or have a family already underway, this page is an evolving resource for you! 

We are open to your feedback about ways to improve and add to this site.

Family-friendly
  1. Benefits
  2. Resources
  3. Things to Consider
  4. Family Leave Laws

Getting Started


Your Human Resources Representative provides individualized assistance to Whatcom County employees. We can help you maximize all benefits and leave provisions available to you by law and County policy. 

Call (778-5300) or email us [email protected] to set up an appointment.

Medical Benefits


Whatcom County provides excellent, full family medical coverage to eligible employees with low- or no-cost premiums for employees. All new employees are offered a benefits orientation and current employees are welcome to set up a time for a benefits "refresher."  All medical plans offer comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care. 

If you anticipate a change in marital status, are expecting a baby, or have a child who will no longer be a dependent, visit our Employee Status Changes page within 30 days of the change for the steps to take to keep your benefits current. 
 

Tax Savings for Childcare


Child care can be the single largest expense for a family. A Day Care FSA can help save money by paying for qualified day care expenses with pre-tax dollars.  Sign up during open enrollment in November for the following tax year or within 30 days of birth.
 

Employee Assistance


Family caregiving services and emotional wellness services are available free of charge to Whatcom County employees through KEPRO, our Employee Assistance Program.

Paid Time Off

Generous vacation and sick leave benefits are available for regular employees.  Consult your collective bargaining agreement or unrepresented resolution for details.  View the policies tab for parental leave information.  County employees also enjoy eleven paid holidays per year.