After WFSE fought in the 2023 legislative session to bring back the Productivity Board, a Local 443 member won $10,000 for her idea to improve letter translation in the Paid Family Medical Leave program.

Our union successfully pushed to reinstate the Productivity Board during the 2023 legislative session. Legislative advocacy is just one way WFSE members use their union to make our state better for all Washingtonians.

WFSE Local 443 member Hollyann Dahlberg had an idea for improving the way her team at the Employment Security Department (ESD) helps second-language English speakers—and when she submitted her idea to the Washington State Productivity Board,  she was granted a $10,000 award.

Eliminating Delays and Saving Costs

In her role supporting the Paid Family Medical Leave program (PFML), Dahlberg observed that notification letters for second-language English speakers were each sent out for costly translation services. She realized that adjusting the letters’ phrasing so they could be translated ahead of time would save her agency the significant translation fees, as well as eliminating the delay for translation.

“It seemed so unfair to have someone wait just because English isn't their first language. I didn't feel like it was right,” Dahlberg said.

Encouraging Innovation

Having recently learned about the Productivity Board, Dahlberg decided to submit her plan.

The Productivity Board “incentivizes state employees to help state government operate more efficiently. We encourage innovation to eliminate waste and reduce unnecessary spending.” Public employees can submit their suggestions for review and may be awarded up to $10,000.

Implementing Solutions

Dahlberg collaborated with her supervisor to bring her idea to the board. She was given the highest possible award, and her suggestion was implemented at ESD.

“We were able to bring down the wait time for our customers to be the same as the English-speaking ones, where previously it was a turnaround time of seven to 10 days potentially.  Now they're all going out same day,” said Dahlberg.

WFSE Fought to Reinstate Productivity Board

Following WFSE’s advocacy in the 2023 legislative session, the Productivity Board was reinstated after a hiatus. Since its reinstatement this year, the Productivity Board has received over 90 submissions from public employees across the state who hope to improve the way their agencies work and offer better services to the public.

Dahlberg says submitting her idea was relatively simple, and encourages other public employees to participate. The process begins with you and your supervisor filling out an online form. Public employees are then able to attend the meeting where their submission and will be reviewed alongside others. A decision is shared that same day. Learn more about submitting an idea to the Productivity Board here.

Someone Who Has Your Back

“Prior to working here, I was afraid of the whole idea of a union,” Dahlberg said. “Within those first few months, though, I realized, ‘no, these are really good people who are here to help you and make sure that you're getting the right support.’ Being able to have someone have your back all the time is really a nice thing.”

Curious about the Productivity Board? Learn more about submission here. Not yet a member of our union? Join us!