In response to the state economy and financial outlook, effective May 18, 2020, Governor Inslee has directed state agencies under his authority to implement a freeze on:

• hiring employees for positions not related to public safety or other non-discretionary activities
• signing new or amended personal services contracts
• making nonessential equipment purchases

Directive of the Governor 20-05 - Freezing Hiring, Personal Services Contracts, and Equipment Purchases [.pdf] (5/13/2020)

On November 20, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Directive 20-05.1 to update his freeze directive to agencies. As a result, we have provided updated instructions to guide agency implementation of the directive.     

Hiring freeze

• Memo: Updated instructions to implement hiring freeze [.pdf] (11/20/2020)
• Memo: Implementation instructions for hiring freeze [.pdf] (5/13/2020)
• Hiring freeze exemption request form [.docx]
• Hiring freeze exemption tracking log for agencies [.xlsx]
• Hiring freeze Q&A

Personal service contracts and equipment purchases freeze

• Memo: Updated instructions to implement freeze [.pdf] (11/20/2020)
• Memo: Implementation instructions for personal services contracts and equipment purchases freeze [.pdf] (5/13/2020)
• Personal services freeze exemption request form [.docx]
• Equipment purchase freeze exemption request form [.docx]
• Personal services contracts and equipment purchases freeze - Q&A

Operating budget savings

Agencies are also directed to identify operating budget savings options from their fiscal year 2021 appropriations. See the memo for instructions and detailed agency targets:

• Memo: Immediate actions to capture operating budget savings [.pdf] (5/13/2020)