Washington: Paid Sick Leave Amended

/in /by

APPLIES TO

All Employers with Employees in WA

EFFECTIVE

January 1, 2025

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Quick Look

  • SB 5793 expands the covered uses and definition of a family member under Washington’s Paid Sick Leave Law.

Discussion

Effective January 1, 2025, SB 5793 expands the covered uses and definition of a family member under Washington’s Paid Sick Leave Law. The chart below summarizes the current law as well as the new expansions and clarifications.

 

  Current Law Effective January 1, 2025
Covered Use ·       For the employee’s own mental or physical health reasons, including recovering from illness or injury, or seeking diagnosis or treatment for a condition.

·       For the employee to care for a family member with mental or physical health needs.

·       When the employee’s place of business or their child’s school or childcare facility has been closed by a public official for health reasons.

·       When the employee qualifies under the Domestic Violence Leave Act.

 Expanded for place of care closures to include a public emergency for both employers generally and Transportation Network Companies specifically. Public emergency is not defined.
Definition of Family Member “Family member” currently includes the employee’s child, parent, spouse/domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling. Expanded to include any individual who regularly resides in the employee’s home or where the relationship creates an expectation that the employee will care for the person, and that individual depends on the employee for care.
Definition of Child A biological, adopted, or foster child, a stepchild, or a child to whom the employee stands in loco parentis, is a legal guardian, or is a de facto parent, regardless of age or dependency status Expanded to include a child’s spouse
Definition of Grandchild and Grandparent No definition “Grandchild” means a child of the employee’s child. “Grandparent” means a parent of the employee’s parent.
Definition of Spouse No definition “Spouse” means a husband or wife, as the case may be, or state registered domestic partner.

 

Action Items

  1. Review the bill here.
  2. Review and update leave policies.
  3. Have appropriate personnel trained on the requirements.

Disclaimer: This document is designed to provide general information and guidance concerning employment-related issues. It is presented with the understanding that ManagEase is not engaged in rendering any legal opinions. If a legal opinion is needed, please contact the services of your own legal adviser. © 2024 ManagEase