InterObservers.

Washington paid sick leave law

The short answer

Washington paid sick leave: employees accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked (full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal alike). The law sets no annual accrual cap. (RCW 49.46.210) Unused paid sick leave carries over to the next year; employers may cap the carryover at 40 hours. (RCW 49.46.210) Washington's paid sick leave requirement took effect January 1, 2018. (RCW 49.46.210)

Last verified Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule

General information, not legal advice. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Every rule on this page links to its official source.

Do you have to give paid sick leave?Yes, statewideVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources

  • Accrual: Washington paid sick leave: employees accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked (full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal alike). The law sets no annual accrual cap. (RCW 49.46.210)

    “(a) An employee shall accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every forty hours worked as an employee.”

    “At a minimum, you must provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked by an employee, regardless of full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal status.”

    app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources

  • Accrued balance cap: Unused paid sick leave carries over to the next year; employers may cap the carryover at 40 hours. (RCW 49.46.210)

    “(j) Except as provided in (l) of this subsection, accrued and unused paid sick leave carries over to the following year, but an employer is not required to allow an employee to carry over paid sick leave in excess of 40 hours.”

    “If you do not use all of the paid sick leave you’ve earned by the end of the accrual year, your employer must carry over balances of 40 hours or less to the next year.”

    app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources

  • Effective date: Washington's paid sick leave requirement took effect January 1, 2018. (RCW 49.46.210)

    “(1) Beginning January 1, 2018, except as provided in RCW 49.46.180, every employer shall provide each of its employees paid sick leave as follows:”

    “You began earning paid sick leave on your first day of work on or after Jan. 1, 2018.”

    app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources

  • Employer coverage: Every employer in Washington must provide paid sick leave to its employees, with only a few exceptions (L&I cites e.g. doctors, lawyers, dentists and most salaried executive managers). (RCW 49.46.210)

    “(1) Beginning January 1, 2018, except as provided in RCW 49.46.180, every employer shall provide each of its employees paid sick leave as follows:”

    “Employers in Washington State are required to provide paid sick leave to their employees.”

    app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · verified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources

What it means for an employer

  1. Put your sick leave policy in writing: accrual rate, yearly cap, carryover and how to request leave.
  2. Track accrued and used hours for each employee in payroll.
  3. Check the verified rules above for the employer size and employees covered.

The federal default

“There is currently no federal law guaranteeing access to paid sick leave, although many states and localities have passed paid sick leave laws.”

U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau: Paid leave · dol.gov

State rules can add to the federal default. The Washington rules above are the ones we verified; for anything not covered, ask the state labor office.

Paid sick leave: Washington and its neighbors

StatePaid sick leave
WashingtonYes, statewide
IdahoNot verified
OregonYes, statewide

Only verified rules are shown. "Not verified" means we have not checked that state's rule yet; open its rulebook for the official source.

Washington employer rulebookEvery verified rule for the statePaid sick leave laws by stateOne row per state, with sources

Questions about Washington paid sick leave law

Do you have to give paid sick leave in Washington?

Accrual: Washington paid sick leave: employees accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked (full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal alike). The law sets no annual accrual cap. (RCW 49.46.210) Accrued balance cap: Unused paid sick leave carries over to the next year; employers may cap the carryover at 40 hours. (RCW 49.46.210) Effective date: Washington's paid sick leave requirement took effect January 1, 2018. (RCW 49.46.210) Employer coverage: Every employer in Washington must provide paid sick leave to its employees, with only a few exceptions (L&I cites e.g. doctors, lawyers, dentists and most salaried executive managers). (RCW 49.46.210)

Sources (3)

Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error