Find out more about your earned paid sick time or earned paid sick leave rights in Seattle, Washington below. Note: Local paid sick time laws may offer additional protections. To learn more about Seattle’s paid sick time law, visit here. To learn about Tacoma’s paid sick time law, visit here.
1) What does the Washington State Paid Sick Leave law do?
It gives workers sick leave that can be used to recover from physical/mental illness or injury; to seek medical diagnosis, treatment, or preventative care; to care for a family member who is ill or needs medical diagnosis, treatment, or preventative care; when the worker’s place of business is closed by order of a public official for any health-related reason or to care for a child whose school or childcare provider has been closed by order of a public official for any health-related reason; or to address certain needs that may arise if the worker or a family member are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Additionally, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries released administrative guidance clarifying that sick leave can also be used for certain COVID-19 related reasons, including exposure to COVID-19.*
Transportation network company (TNC) drivers in Washington State may also have paid sick leave rights. For more information about TNC driver paid sick leave rights, click here.
*Between February 22, 2022 and November 1, 2022, a statewide Proclamation may have provided workers with a reasonable amount of leave in relation to COVID-19. For more information, see the expired Proclamation Between August 18, 2020 and November 13, 2020, a statewide Proclamation may have provided certain food production workers with emergency supplemental paid sick leave in relation to COVID-19. For more information, see the expired Proclamation here.
2) Am I covered?
If you work as an employee in Washington State, you are probably covered, whether you are a full-time, part-time, or temporary worker. However, the law does not cover federal employees.
3) How much sick leave can I earn?
You earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. There is no limit on how much sick leave you can earn, however, your employer isn’t required to allow you to carry over more than 40 hours of paid sick leave per year.
All covered employees are protected against being fired or punished for using their sick leave (including threats, discipline, demotion, reduction in hours, termination, etc.).
4) What if my work or my child’s school or daycare is closed for a health emergency?
You can also use your sick leave if your place of business is closed by order of a public official for any health-related reason or to care for a child whose school or childcare provider has been closed by order of a public official for any health-related reason. A “health-related reason” means a serious public health concern that could result in bodily injury or exposure to an infectious agent, biological toxin, or hazardous material. Health-related reason does not include closures for inclement weather.
5) Which of my family members are covered by the law?
You can take sick leave to care for yourself or a child, spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, parent of a spouse or registered domestic partner, grandchild, grandparent, or sibling. You can also take sick leave to address certain needs if you or a child, parent, parent of a spouse, spouse, grandparent, or person with whom you have a dating relationship is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
6) What if I already have paid leave or paid time off?
If you already get any paid leave (vacation, paid time off, etc.) that you can use as sick leave and it’s at least the same amount you would earn under this law, the law does not give you any additional paid time off. An employer must notify you of their intent to use a PTO program to meet their paid sick leave requirements under this law.
7) When can I begin using my sick leave?
You start earning sick leave immediately but cannot use it until 90 calendar days after the start of your employment.
8) Do I need a doctor’s note?
If you use sick leave for more than 3 days, your employer can require a note from a health care provider. The note does not need to describe the health issue—only your need for the amount of sick leave taken.
All covered workers are protected against being fired or punished for using sick leave. If you have a problem—or want more information—call A Better Balance’s free legal clinic at 1-833-NEED-ABB.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is in charge of enforcing this law.
Please note that this fact sheet does not represent an exhaustive overview of the paid sick leave law described, and it does not constitute legal advice. It is possible that additional provisions not described in this fact sheet may apply to a worker’s specific circumstances or category of employment.
