Are employers allowed to offer sick leave as an employee benefit?

Yes, employers in Washington are allowed to offer sick leave as an employee benefit. In 2016, the state of Washington passed Initiative 1433, which requires employers to provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours of paid leave per year. Employers are allowed to offer more than 40 hours of paid leave, which is often referred to as "paid time off," but employers cannot require employees to use all of their paid leave in a single year. Employees can use the paid leave for their own illness or injury, or to care for a family member with an illness or injury. Employers must also keep track of the amount of paid sick leave an employee has accumulated, and employees must be paid for the amount of leave they have taken. Employers who do not comply with the law can face penalties. Washington employers are not allowed to discriminate against employees who take leave, nor are employers allowed to retaliate against them.

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Are employers allowed to offer sick leave as an employee benefit?

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