What it can be used for
Own or family member's illness, injury or medical and preventive care; health-related closure of the workplace or a child's school; domestic violence leave; and, since July 27, 2025, immigration court or agency proceedings. Source: lni.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Notice and documentation
You can ask for verification only for absences of more than 3 consecutive days, under a written policy. Tell new hires their rights and report leave balances at least monthly, such as on pay stubs. Source: lni.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
City and county laws
Seattle's paid sick and safe time law covers all employers: 1 hour per 40 worked (1 per 30 at 250+ staff), with carryover of 40, 56 or 72 hours by employer size. Source: seattle.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Who is not covered
Salaried executive, administrative and professional staff who are exempt from state minimum wage law, such as most salaried managers. Source: lni.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
For retaliation, Labor and Industries can order back pay and fines from $1,000 (or 10% of unpaid earnings) up to $20,000, doubling for repeat violations. Source: app.leg.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Recent changes
From July 27, 2025, employees may use paid sick leave to prepare for or attend immigration court or agency proceedings for themselves or a family member. Source: lni.wa.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: RCW 49.46.210 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
No federal law requires private employers to give paid sick leave. Federal contractors must give up to 7 days a year under Executive Order 13706. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab) Source: U.S. DOL — EO 13706↗ (opens in a new tab)
Paid sick leave checklist for Washington employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Check whether your business size is covered by the rule above.
- Set up accrual in your payroll or HR system (or front-load the yearly amount).
- Write a sick leave policy covering accrual, the cap, carryover, notice and documentation.
- Show each employee's balance where your state requires it.
- Check for city or county sick leave laws where your staff work.
- Keep records of time earned and used.
More Washington employment law guides
- All Washington employment laws
- Washington final paycheck law
- Washington meal and rest break laws
- Washington overtime law
- Washington pay frequency law
- Washington vacation and PTO payout law
- Washington new hire reporting
- Washington at-will exceptions
Paid sick leave laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
- https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave/
- https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/industry-specific-requirements/transportation-network-company-drivers-rights/paid-sick-time
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.46.210
- https://lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F700-197-000.pdf
- https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/ordinances/paid-sick-and-safe-time
- https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-128-790
- https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/workhours/sickleave
- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/sick-leave
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.