You are receiving this employer update because you live in Washington State and may be subject to the new paid time off requirements adopted by the city of Seattle.

On September 23, 2011, the Seattle mayor signed into law the Seattle Paid Sick Time and Paid Safe Time Ordinance.  This law, effective September 1, 2012, requires all Seattle employers with 4 or more employees to provide specific amounts of paid time off for personal illness, family care, and other purposes called “safe time”, including business or school closures due to weather or other emergency and domestic violence.  Ordinances such as this are a growing trend in cities across the country.

Expand your knowledge of the new law here.

Seattle employers should plan to update their vacation/paid time off benefit plans NOW.  Here are some highlights of the new law:

•   Accrual and amounts vary with business size.  However, most small businesses with 4 to 50 employees will be required to provide 40 hours (5 days) of PTO annually, accrued as one hour of PTO per 40 hours worked;

•   Employees may use accrued PTO after 180 days of employment;

•   The rule applies to full time, part time, and temporary employees;

•   Employers may NOT require a doctor’s note or other absence verification for absences of three days or less;

•   Unused amounts must be carried over and “use it or lose it” policies are prohibited;

•   Employees may forfeit at termination.

The 50-page ordinance is complex and may be subject to legal challenges.  Accordingly, CEDR will provide additional updates and details as the deadline approaches.

What should you do?

Consider the impact of this new rule on your business now, as you plan hiring, benefits, and raises.

As part of their membership, active CEDR Solution Center members with CEDR employee handbooks will receive updates before the new law takes effect.

ESS members who do not yet have CEDR’s handbook should contact us for an evaluation of their employee handbook and determination if their handbook complies with federal and state laws.

Remember, CEDR works with practices with anywhere from one to 100 employees.

Reach us by phone at (866) 414 6056 or schedule a convenient time for CEDR to call you using our interactive calendar.