Sick Leave Laws Chart for Washington State, Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane and SeaTac
Sick Leave Laws Quick Reference Chart for Washington State, Spokane, Tacoma, Seattle, and SeaTac.
Cities throughout Washington State have already enacted their own versions of Paid Sick and Safe Leave Laws. Add to the local laws, that Washington State recently passed a ballot imitative to institute sick leave laws across the entire states. Although many businesses, human resource managers, payroll professionals, and accountants have important questions about the laws, the final details are still likely to take the majority of 2016 to define. Cities in Washington provide paid sick leave for all employees, even when the employer is based outside the local jurisdiction. It is important for employers to be aware of local ordinances when employees cross into city limits and the employer’s obligation. This chart is intended for quick reference. For additional information on Sick and Safe Time Laws throughout Washington, please see our detailed articles intended for business and accounting professionals and managers.
| Spokane | Tacoma | Seattle | SeaTac | Washington | |
| Accrual Rates | 1 Hr for every 30 hrs worked | 1 Hr for every 30 hrs worked | Varies Based on Employer Size | 1 Hr for every 40 hrs worked | 1 Hr for every 40 hrs worked |
| Accrual Caps | < 10 Employees = 24 hours
10+ Employees = 40 hours |
24 Hrs each year | No cap | No Cap | No cap defined (pending final ruling) |
| Usage Caps | < 10 Employees = 24 hours
10+ Employees = 40 hours |
Up to 40 hours used | Varies based on employer size between 40 and 72 hours a year | No Cap | No cap defined (pending final ruling) |
| Increment of Use | No specification | 1 hr increments | 1 hr or quarter of an hour increments | Not defined | Not defined |
| “Year” | Not specified | Calendar or Fiscal year | Benefit year, can include calendar year, fiscal year, or any other 12 months that define the benefits package. | Calendar year | Not Defined |
| Occasional Work employees | Employees that work in city limits 240 hours a year or more | An employee who works in Tacoma occasionally 80 hours a year or more. | Any employee that works in Seattle 240 hours or more in a benefit year. | All transportation and hospitality employees: Clock starts on hour 1 of work in City Limits | Not Defined |
| Rehiring | NOT required to reinstate | If hired within 6 months, Sick leave must be reinstated | If hired within 7 months, sick leave time must be reinstated. | Paid out at the end of the year | If rehired within 12 months, sick leave is reinstated |
| Bereavement | Allowed | Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Inclement Weather | Law is silent | No exclusion for inclement weather | Not allowed. | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Family Members | Child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, grandparents, grandchildren | Adds Household members | Child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, grandparents,grandchildren | Child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, grandparents grandchildren | Adds De facto parents |
Additional Resources:
SeaTac Paid Sick Leave Laws for Hospitality and Transportation Workers
Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Spokane Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Washington State Sick Leave Law
Written by Annemaria Duran. Last Updated on February 7, 2017
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