Washington State Sick Leave Law

Table of Contents

As of January 1, 2018, Washington State has implemented a new sick leave law that requires employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. This law was passed by voters in 2016 and applies to all employers, regardless of their size or number of employees. The new law is designed to promote healthy workplaces and to ensure that workers have access to paid time off when they or their family members are sick.

What is the Washington State Sick Leave Law?

The Washington State Sick Leave Law requires that employers provide their employees with paid sick leave for certain qualifying reasons. This includes illnesses, injuries, medical appointments, and absences related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The law also allows for sick leave to be used for reasons related to a family member's illness or medical appointment.

Who is Covered by the Washington State Sick Leave Law?

All employees who work in Washington State for at least 90 days within a 12-month period are covered by the new sick leave law. This includes full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. Independent contractors and certain types of employees, such as airline flight crew members, are not covered by the law.

How Much Sick Leave is Required?

Under the new law, employers must provide employees with one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked. Employees can accrue up to 40 hours of sick leave per year, and can carry over up to 40 hours of unused sick leave from one year to the next. Employers may also choose to provide more generous sick leave policies than required by law.

Steps to Comply with the Washington State Sick Leave Law

Employers can take the following steps to ensure compliance with the new sick leave law:

• Determine which employees are covered by the law
• Provide employees with written notice of their rights under the law
• Maintain accurate records of sick leave accrual and usage
• Ensure that sick leave is used for qualifying reasons
• Do not retaliate against employees for using sick leave

Benefits and Drawbacks of the Washington State Sick Leave Law

Benefits

• Ensures that workers have access to paid time off when they or their family members are sick
• Promotes healthy workplaces by reducing the spread of illnesses
• Can improve employee morale and productivity

Drawbacks

• May increase costs for employers, especially small businesses
• May lead to scheduling difficulties for employers
• May be difficult to track and manage sick leave accrual and usage

FAQs

Q: How much sick leave do employees accrue under the new law?

A: Employees accrue one hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours per year.

Q: Can employers provide more generous sick leave policies than required by law?

A: Yes, employers may choose to provide more generous sick leave policies than required by law.

Q: Are independent contractors covered by the new sick leave law?

A: No, independent contractors are not covered by the new sick leave law.

Q: What should employers do if they have questions about the new sick leave law?

A: Employers should consult with legal counsel or the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries for guidance on complying with the new sick leave law.