Washington Paid Sick Leave

Employees in Washington state are legally entitled to paid sick leave, ensuring them protected time in which to care for themselves or their family members. RCW 49.46.210. While employers have some latitude in the form of their sick leave policies, all paid sick leave programs must meet the state’s minimum legal requirements. Id.

Employees are entitled to one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, including overtime hours, and there is no cap on the amount of sick leave that can be earned within the accrual year. Id. This benefit must be provided to all employees—regardless of full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal status—with limited exceptions.

Employers may offer more generous sick time policies than required by law. However, regardless of the policy offered, employers may not penalize employees for using their leave, require shift coverage before taking leave, or withhold accrued time as a disciplinary mechanism. Id. Employers may not retaliate against their employees in any way for lawful use of accrued sick time. RCW 49.46.100

Ultimately, Washington’s paid sick leave law provides a critical foundation for employee well-being while setting clear limits on employer discretion to ensure meaningful access to protected leave.