Paid Sick Leave in Washington
Washington (WA) · Paid sick leave · Last reviewed July 2026
State mandate
Yes
Typical accrual
1 hr per 30 worked
Does Washington Require Paid Sick Leave?
Washington has a statewide paid sick leave requirement. A common standard is that employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, often with an annual cap, though the exact accrual rate, caps, and carryover rules vary. Check the official rules for current details.
How Accrual Usually Works
Where sick leave is required, employers typically choose between accrual (employees earn time as they work, e.g., 1 hour per 30 worked) and front-loading (granting a lump sum at the start of the year). A time and attendance system makes either method easy by tracking hours worked and balances automatically.
Recordkeeping
Track accrued and used sick time per employee, show balances on pay stubs where required, and keep the records for the retention period your state specifies.
Washington Labor-Law Snapshot
Washington mandates paid sick leave (typically ~1 hour earned per 30 worked). Separately, the Washington minimum wage is $17.13/hour (about $9.88 above the federal $7.25) (higher in Seattle), overtime is about $25.70/hour, and a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday on discharge.
For Washington employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, sick-leave accrual, final pay, and break records. Washington requires meal breaks on longer shifts and requires paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday when an employee resigns. Confirm current Washington figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.
Official Sources
More Washington Guides
Paid Sick Leave in Other States
Washington Paid Sick Leave: Frequently Asked Questions
Is paid sick leave required in Washington?
Yes — Washington has a statewide paid sick leave law, commonly accruing one hour for every 30 hours worked, often with an annual cap.
How much sick leave do employees earn?
Where required, a common standard is one hour of paid sick time per 30 hours worked, subject to caps and carryover rules that vary — check the current rules.
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