The recent COVID-19 outbreak poses numerous challenges for employers, including how to navigate the already complex requirements imposed by Washington state’s various employment and leave laws. Below we address some of the common issues that many Washington employers are facing.

Employee Leave

Paid Time Off

Employers who have a general PTO policy that allows employees to take time off for vacation, sick, and/or personal reasons should continue to allow employees to use those days in accordance with their policy.

Washington State Paid Sick Leave

Non-exempt employees in Washington state accrue paid sick leave. Such employees are permitted to take paid sick leave for themselves or a family member, as necessary to diagnose, care for or treat a COVID-19 infection. Paid sick leave is also available to employees who have been directed to quarantine themselves or, in some cases, to employees who are immunocompromised and have been advised to self-isolate.

Non-exempt employees may also take paid sick leave if their workplace or their child’s school has been closed by a public official for health-related reasons. Employers may allow workers to use paid sick leave if the business decides on its own to temporarily close in response to COVID-19, but are not required to do so.

In order to reduce the strain on the healthcare system, Washington’s Department of Health has issued guidance recommending that employers not require verification from employees who take sick leave. In support of this guidance, Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries has indicated that employers may temporarily waive any verification requirements contained in their written sick leave policies.

Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time

Seattle’s PSST ordinance applies to exempt and non-exempt employees whose job sites are located in Seattle or who work more than 240 hours within the boundaries of the city in a year.

Seattle’s City Council has updated the PSST ordinance to address more situations arising for employees during the COVID-19 crisis. Effective March 18, 2020, eligible employees may use accrued PSST:

• To care for themselves or a family member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• To go to the doctor to get medical and preventative care for themselves or a family member;
• When a public health official recommends that they self-quarantine;
• When their workplace has been closed by order of a public official for health-related reasons;
• If a family member’s (not just their child’s) school or place of care has been closed; or
• If they work for a business with 250 or more full-time equivalent employees worldwide, when their workplace closes for any health or safety reason, whether ordered by a public official or not.

While employers are permitted to ask for verification that continued use of PSST is necessary after an employee has been absent for at least three days, doing so is not required and Seattle is encouraging employers to be as flexible as possible in their verification requirements at this time.

SeaTac Minimum Employment Standards Ordinance

Employees covered by SeaTac’s Minimum Employment Standards Ordinance (generally non-exempt hospitality and transportation workers) may use accrued leave for the diagnosis, care or treatment of COVID-19 infection for themselves or a family member or for the closure of the employee’s place of business, a child’s school or place of care, or due to a public health emergency.

Tacoma Paid Leave Ordinance

Tacoma’s Paid Leave Ordinance applies to exempt and non-exempt employees who perform at least 80 hours of work in Tacoma within a calendar year, including employees who telecommute from home in Tacoma.

Employees may use accrued leave for the diagnosis, care or treatment of COVID-19 infection for themselves or a family member; for the closure of the employee’s place of business; or to care for a child whose school or place of care has been closed for any health-related reason by order of a public official.

Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PMFL)

An employee who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or who is caring for a family member who has been so diagnosed, may be eligible for paid leave if a health care provider certifies that the illness meets the definition of a “serious health condition” and the employee is otherwise qualified. Employees who have been laid off or furloughed may still qualify for paid medical leave if they satisfy the PFML hours requirement.

Quarantine and school closures are not PFML-qualifying events at this time.

Layoff Considerations

Notice Requirements

While Washington does not have specific layoff warning requirements, layoffs affecting more than 50 employees may trigger notification requirements under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. If the layoffs arise from the business impact of COVID-19, employers may not have to provide the full statutory notice.

Final Paychecks

When an employee is dismissed or laid off, their final paycheck must be paid on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. Employers may not withhold a final paycheck, even if the employee has not yet returned employer property (e.g., laptop, keys, uniform). There is no state law in Washington requiring that employees who are laid off or terminated be compensated for their unused PTO, sick pay or vacation time. Employers are, however, required to comply with the terms of their established policies or employment agreements. 

Paid Sick Leave for Non-Exempt Employees

Employers are not required to pay non-exempt employees for unused sick leave accrued under Washington’s Paid Sick Leave law. However, if such employees are not paid for unused sick leave, any previously accrued sick leave must be reinstated if the employee is rehired within 12 months.

Unemployment Insurance and Standby

In addition to traditional unemployment benefits, workers who are temporarily laid off or who have had their hours reduced as a result of COVID-19 may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits on “standby” status. Workers on standby status are not required to search for work while receiving benefits. To qualify for standby status, a worker must have been a full-time employee, be returning to full-time work, and have a probable return-to-work date. Eligibility for standby is determined on a case-by-case basis. The emergency rule Washington recently enacted allows workers to remain on standby status for up to 12 weeks.

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