On January 1, 2017, Spokane, Washington, will join the list of cities and states offering workers earned sick and safe leave. The city defines Sick Leave as, “…paid time an employee can take off work in order to seek medical treatment or a diagnosis for themselves or their family members. This can be for emergency or routine medical treatment.” It defines Safe Leave as, “…paid time an employee can take off work to take care of issues related to domestic violence, harassment, or stalking. Safe leave can be used to find a new place to live, to seek legal advice, to appear at court hearings, or to seek counseling related to domestic violence, harassment, or stalking.”
Which Employers Must Comply?
All employers in the city of Spoke are required to comply with the Earned Sick and Safe Leave law beginning January 1, 2017. There is a distinction, though, in the number of days an employee can use Sick and Safe Leave days based upon the size of the company as outlined below.
What Employers Must Know
Since this is a new law, employers will want to be familiar with all aspects of the ordinance so that they are in compliance with the law. Some key features that are important for employers to know are:
- Under the law, employees will earn one hour of Sick and Safe Leave for every 30 hours worked. Employees may use leave as follows:
- Employers with less than 10 employees, employees may take up to 24 Sick and Safe Leave days per calendar year.
- Employers with 10 or more employees, employees may take up to 40 days of Leave per calendar year.
- Businesses which are exempt from the law include those in building trades or those who are temporary, seasonal or work-study workers.
- The law does not require employers to cash out accrued, but unused leave upon termination.
- If an employer allows use of PTO for the same reasons as sick and safe leave, and in the same amount, PTO may qualify as Sick and Safe Leave.
- Unused Sick and Safe Leave may be carried over from one year to another.
- If the employer allows, employees may donate their time to other workers who need it.
What an Employer Must Do
- Employers may not retaliate if an employee takes earned Sick or Safe leave.
- Employers must notify employees of their leave balance quarterly or as the employee requests.
- Employers must post the official notice of the Spoke Earned Sick and Safe Leave within each place of business, in prominent locations where all employees have access.
