1. Washington State Bonding Program
Welcome to the WA State Bonding Program
Fidelity Bonding

2. What is Fidelity Bonding?
It is insurance to protect employers against employee dishonesty.
The bonding program is an insurance for employers.

3. Fidelity Bonding and why is it needed?
To restore confidence in employers who view ex-offenders and other at-risk job seekers as potentially untrustworthy workers and thereby deny them employment
To provide insurance for at-risk job seekers that other insurance companies will not insure
It’s an incentive to the employer to hire an at risk job applicant
It’s a unique tool for marketing applicants to employers
The fidelity bonding program helps people with barriers who would not get bonding through commercial bonding agencies get bonded.

4. Fidelity Bonding and what it does cover.
Employer loss due to worker dishonesty on the job
Any type of stealing: theft, forgery, larceny, embezzlement
It covers any loss due to dishonesty of the worker i. e. theft, forgery, larceny, embezzlement…

5. Fidelity Bonding and what it does NOT cover.
Liability due to poor workmanship, job injuries, work accidents, etc.
Bail bonds or court bonds needed in adjudication
Bonding needed for self-employment
It does not cover poor workmanship, injuries (anything covered by L&I), it is not a court bond, it is not for self employment

6. Who is eligible for Bonding? Any at-risk job applicant including:
Ex-Offenders
Recovering substance abusers (alcohol & drugs)
Welfare recipients
Individuals with poor credit history
Dishonorably discharged veterans
Anybody with a barrier that a commercial bonding Co. will not bond qualifies for this bond.

7. Continued from previous page.
Economically disadvantaged persons who lack a work history
Anyone who cannot get a job without being bonded
Anyone already employed but needs bonding in order to:
(1) prevent being laid off or (2) secure a transfer or promotion
continued

8. Who is NOT eligible for Bonding?
Individuals bondable through commercial carriers
Individuals who have defaulted on a previous fidelity bond
Individuals who are self-employed
Individuals who are not of legal working age (Eligibility age is 14 years old (with limitations) in Washington State)
A person is not eligible for this bond if they (read bullets)

9. How are bonds issued?
Bonds are issued in increments of $ 5,000 up to $ 25,000
In most cases a $ 5,000 bond is sufficient
Bonds in the amount of $ 10,000 up to $ 25,000 have to be justified
Bond amounts are based on how much potential loss an employer could incur
5000$ increments, depending on the job.

10. How do Bonds work?
Bonds can be issued as soon as the employee has a hire date
The coverage for the bond is for a period of 6 months
Bonds are self terminating after 6 months
There is no deductible and the employer gets 100% insurance coverage
The bond is at no cost to the employer or employee
No papers need to be signed by the employer or applicant
After the bond expires continued coverage can be purchased by the employer. Contact the Washington State Bonding Coordinator for more information
Need hire date, good for 6 months (keep reading bullets)

11. Bonding process Agency staff or Employer will:
Screen for client eligibility
Negotiate amount of bonding
Complete “Washington State Bonding Certification Form” and fax to State Bonding Coordinator
State Bonding Coordinator will:
Determine eligibility
Complete the form and mail to Washington DC
Send confirmation letter to employer
Provide technical assistance and training
Describe bonding process: agency staff or employer screen for client eligibility, bonding coordinator will complete the process.

12. References The McLaughlin Company, The Federal
Bonding Program, A US Department
of Labor Initiative. Retrieved 7/31/09
from
Go on line to see more about the McLaughlin Company.

13. Washington State Bonding Contact Information
Washington State Bonding Coordinator
Employment Security Department
Offender Employment Services
Attn.: Candee Bellamy
PO Box 9046
Olympia, WA
Phone:
Toll Free:
Fax:
My contact

14. Back up contact Attn.: Tami Wallace PO Box 9046 Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Phone:
Toll Free:
Fax:
Back up contact

15. STEVE’S SNOHOMISH COUNTY APPROACH
HAVE YOUR JOB APPLICANT GO TO ANY WORKSOURCE OFFICE AND ASK FOR HELP GETTING A “BONDING LETTER”, THIS IS USUALLY A SHORT PROCESS AND THE APPLICANT WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A LETTER STATING THEIR ABILITY TO BE BONDED THAT THEY CAN OFFER AT THE TIME OF THEIR INTERVIEW.
PROFESSIONAL CONTACT (not for clients)
Susan Stewart – Employment Security Dept.