Are employers allowed to offer personal leave as an employee benefit?
Yes, employers in Washington are allowed to offer personal leave as an employee benefit. Employee benefits are typically defined as any type of non-wage compensation given to employees in addition to their regular wages and salaries. In Washington, employers are generally free to provide whatever benefits they wish, as long as they do not violate state or federal law. Personal leave is a type of employee benefit that allows employees to take time off from work when they need it, usually for medical or other personal reasons. In Washington, all businesses with 25 or more employees are required to provide the option of up to 12 weeks of personal leave annually, in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under this law, certain medical reasons and family responsibilities are covered, including caring for an ill child, spouse, or parent; dealing with pregnancy; recovering from a serious health condition; and managing certain types of military leave. Washington also offers additional options for personal leave, including the Domestic Violence Leave Act (DVLA), which allows employees to take up to 15 days off with pay to deal with domestic violence issues, as well as the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), which provides up to 12 or 16 weeks of job-protected leave with up to 90% pay. In addition, employers may choose to offer additional personal leave as an employee benefit, such as vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, or other types of leave. However, employers should be sure to check both state and federal laws before offering any type of leave as an employee benefit to ensure compliance.
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