Washington
Complete guide to Washington state leave laws including Paid Family & Medical Leave, sick leave, and domestic violence leave. Updated 2025.
0
Annual leave
11
Public holidays
state
Location type
2025-01-15
Reviewed
Legal framework
Primary legislation
Governing body
Last updated
Official source
Entitlements overview
Annual leave
Statutory entitlement: 0
Calculation: No statutory requirement. Employer policy governs.
Pro-rata: Per employer policy
Carryover: Washington allows "use it or lose it" policies
Sick leave
Statutory: Yes
Paid days: 5
Statutory pay: Regular rate of pay
Eligibility: All employees covered, All employer sizes, Usable after 90 days of employment
Parental leave
Maternity: Up to 18 weeks total PFML (medical + family)
Paternity: Up to 12 weeks family leave
Adoption: Up to 12 weeks family leave
Shared leave: Each parent gets own entitlement
Additional leave and compliance
Other leave types
Domestic Violence Leave: Reasonable time (unpaid)
Jury Duty: As needed (unpaid)
Military Family Leave: 15 days (unpaid)
Record keeping and notice
Records: Maintain sick leave records for 3 years, Track PFML eligibility and usage, Document all leave requests, Keep payroll records showing leave payments
Employer notice: Provide PFML notices to employees
Employee notice: 30 days for foreseeable leave
Penalties: Sick leave violations: Back pay, damages, attorney fees, PFML premium penalties for non-payment, Retaliation claims subject to penalties
Public holiday sample
New Year's Day: 2025-01-01
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 2025-01-20
Presidents' Day: 2025-02-17
Memorial Day: 2025-05-26
Juneteenth: 2025-06-19
Independence Day: 2025-07-04
Frequently asked questions
How does Washington PFML work?
Washington PFML provides up to 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave (18 weeks combined) with up to 90% wage replacement. Funded by employer and employee premiums.
How much sick leave do Washington employees earn?
Employees earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. There is no cap on accrual, but employers can limit use to 40 hours per year.
Who is eligible for Washington PFML?
Employees who have worked at least 820 hours in Washington during the qualifying period are eligible. This is about 16 hours per week for a year.
Can Washington employers have "use it or lose it" sick leave policies?
No, accrued sick leave must carry over year to year. However, employers can cap annual usage at 40 hours.
Related policy guides
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