Paid Sick Leave

Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. This can be used after the 90th calendar day of employment. There is no cap on how many hours can be accrued per year. Unused paid sick leaves balances of 40 hours or less will carry over from one year to the next.

Employees may use paid sick leave for themselves or their family members for any of the following reasons:

  • A mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.

  • To diagnose, care for, or treat a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.

  • To receive preventive medical care.

  • For leave that qualifies under the state’s Domestic Violence Leave Act.

  • If an employee's workplace, or their child's school or place of care, has been closed by order of a public official for a health-related reason.


Who is a family member?

  • A child (biological, adopted, foster, stepchild, etc.), regardless of age or dependency status

  • A parent (biological, adoptive, foster, stepparent, etc.), or the parent of the employee's spouse or registered domestic partner

  • A spouse or registered domestic partner

  • A grandparent

  • A grandchild

  • A sibling

  • See RCW 49.46.210(2) for full definitions.


For absences exceeding three required work days or longer, PNWK requires employees to provide verification, such as a doctors note, to show absences are for an authorized purpose.