Short answer. At least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. No cap on hours accrued within the accrual year. Use may begin: employees may use accrued leave once they reach 90 calendar days of employment.
At a glance
- Law
- Paid sick leave (RCW 49.46.210)
- In effect
- Employees began earning paid sick leave on January 1, 2018.
- Accrual
- At least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
- Yearly limit
- No cap on hours accrued within the accrual year.
- Use may begin
- Employees may use accrued leave once they reach 90 calendar days of employment.
- Agency
- Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)
Example with dates
Suppose someone at an employer in the "any number of employees" group starts on Monday, January 25, 2027 and works 35 hours every week. At 1 hour per 40 hours worked, that's 0.87 hours a week, and the first year comes to 45.50 hours. The latest an employer could hold off use is Saturday, April 24, 2027.
- By Sunday, April 25, 2027: 10.50 hours
- By Sunday, July 25, 2027: 21.87 hours
- By Tuesday, January 25, 2028: 45.50 hours
Your own figures: open the calculator set to Washington.
What the time covers
The employee's or a family member's care (child, grandchild, grandparent, parent, sibling or spouse, and some household members), leave that qualifies under the state's Domestic Violence Leave Act, closures by a public official for a health-related reason, and preparing for or attending an immigration proceeding (since July 27, 2025).
Unused hours at year end
Unused balances of 40 hours or less must carry over to the next accrual year.
Notices, posters and statements
Employers must notify employees of the right in writing, and give a statement at least monthly showing hours accrued, used and available.
City and county rules
Yes, local paid sick leave ordinances apply in parts of the state; an employer there follows whichever rule gives employees more. The official page: Paid Sick Leave Minimum Requirements (local laws note).
Worth knowing
Where a local law requires more generous paid sick leave, the local requirement applies; L&I names Seattle as an example. Covers full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees; a few groups such as certain salaried executives are exempt.
Not stated on the official pages we read: front-loading, small-employer rules.
Official sources
- Paid Sick Leave Minimum Requirements (Washington L&I) (checked November 2026)
- Paid Sick Leave (Washington L&I) (checked November 2026)
Rules as published on the pages above, checked November 2026. General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. A city ordinance, union contract or written policy can give employees more.
Questions employers ask
How much paid sick leave do employees earn in Washington?
At least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. No cap on hours accrued within the accrual year.
When can a new employee start using sick leave in Washington?
Employees may use accrued leave once they reach 90 calendar days of employment.
Does unused sick time carry over to the next year in Washington?
Unused balances of 40 hours or less must carry over to the next accrual year.
What can Washington sick leave be used for?
The employee's or a family member's care (child, grandchild, grandparent, parent, sibling or spouse, and some household members), leave that qualifies under the state's Domestic Violence Leave Act, closures by a public official for a health-related reason, and preparing for or attending an immigration proceeding (since July 27, 2025).
All states: paid sick leave laws by state · New York