Other Leaves: Washington

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Ina R. Silvergleid

Summary

• There are various types of leave that may be available to an employee in Washington. See Leaves of Absence.
• Washington employers may be required to provide paid family and medical leave, family military leave, kin care leave, pregnancy disability leave and adoption leave under state law. See Family and Medical Leave.
• Washington employers must provide eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave under Initiative 1433. See Paid Sick Leave.
• An employer does not have to provide a leave of absence for a workers' compensation injury or illness. See Workers' Compensation Leave.
• Washington law allows eligible employees to take a reasonable amount of unpaid leave for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. See Domestic Violence Leave.
• Employers must allow employees to take unpaid leave to serve as a juror. See Jury Duty Leave.
• Employees may be entitled to military leave and Civil Air Patrol Leave. See Military Leave.
• Employers with 20 or more full-time equivalent employees may not terminate or discipline an employee who is a volunteer firefighter or reserve officer for taking leave to respond to a fire alarm or emergency call. See Emergency Responder Leave.
• Noncompete agreements for employees who are laid off must include a garden leave clause. See Garden Leave.
• Localities including SeaTac, Seattle and Tacoma have requirements pertaining to paid sick and other leaves. See Local Requirements.