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Paid Sick Leave Regulations in Washington and Oregon

Posted 05/25/23

Paid sick leave regulations are an important consideration for businesses in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the states of Washington and Oregon. Both states have enacted laws that require employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at these regulations and what they mean for businesses in these states.

Washington Paid Sick Leave

In Washington, the Paid Sick Leave Law went into effect on January 1, 2018. Under this law, employers must provide their employees with paid sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked. This sick leave can be used for a variety of reasons, including:

• The employee's own illness or injury
• The illness or injury of a family member
• To deal with issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking

Employees can start using their accrued sick leave 90 calendar days after their start date. Unused sick leave can be carried over to the following year, up to a maximum of 40 hours.

Oregon Paid Sick Leave

In Oregon, the Sick Time Law went into effect on January 1, 2016. Under this law, employers must provide their employees with paid sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. This sick leave can be used for similar reasons as in Washington, including the employee's own illness or injury, the illness or injury of a family member, and issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Employees can start using their accrued sick leave 91 calendar days after their start date. Unused sick leave can be carried over to the following year, up to a maximum of 40 hours.

Key Differences Between Washington and Oregon

While the paid sick leave regulations in Washington and Oregon are similar, there are some key differences between the two. For example:

• In Washington, employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to provide paid sick leave if they already offer a separate paid time off (PTO) policy that meets certain requirements. In Oregon, all employers must provide paid sick leave, regardless of size.
• In Washington, employers can require employees to provide documentation for the use of sick leave if the employee is absent for more than three consecutive days. In Oregon, employers cannot require documentation unless the employee has used more than three days of sick leave in a row.
• In Washington, employers must provide employees with written notice of their sick leave rights at the time of hire and must display a poster in a conspicuous location. In Oregon, employers must provide employees with written notice of their sick leave rights and display a poster in a conspicuous location, but this notice can be provided electronically.

Compliance Tips for Employers

To ensure compliance with these regulations, employers in Washington and Oregon should:

• Review their sick leave policies to ensure that they meet the requirements of the law.
• Provide employees with written notice of their sick leave rights and display the required posters in a conspicuous location.
• Keep accurate records of sick leave accrual and use.
• Train managers and HR staff on the requirements of the law.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties and fines, so it is important for employers to take these requirements seriously.

Work with AlignHR Oregon and Washington

Paid sick leave regulations are an important consideration for businesses in Washington and Oregon. By understanding the requirements of these laws and taking steps to ensure compliance, employers can avoid penalties and fines while also providing their employees with the benefits they deserve. If you have questions or need assistance with compliance, AlignHR can help. Contact us today to learn more about our HR consulting services.