Index
Employment & LaborWashington, USA

Washington Paid Sick Leave Law

Summary

Washington State requires nearly all employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees, including part-time and seasonal workers.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    You earn at least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours you work.
  • 02.
    There is NO CAP on how much sick leave you can earn in a year.
  • 03.
    If you don't use all your sick leave, you can carry over up to 40 hours into the next year.
  • 04.
    You can use this time to care for yourself, a family member, or to take 'safe leave' for domestic violence reasons.
  • 05.
    Your employer MUST pay you your normal hourly wage while you are on sick leave.

Penalties

  • 01.
    Employers cannot require you to find a replacement worker before you use your sick leave. If they retaliate against you for taking leave, the state Department of Labor & Industries can fine them and force them to pay you damages.

Verified Citations

Washington Revised Code Section 49.46.210

Source
"Beginning January 1, 2018, every employer shall provide each of its employees paid sick leave... An employee shall accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every forty hours worked as an employee..."