Are employers allowed to require employees to take unpaid leave?

In Washington, employers are allowed to require employees to take unpaid leave, but only under certain circumstances. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries outlines some of the reasons an employer can require unpaid leave. These include if the required leave is for jury duty, for a public holiday, or if the employee is participating in a medical leave plan authorized by the employer. The Washington Minimum Wage Act also outlines specific conditions in which an employer can require unpaid leave. According to the act, an employer must provide an employee with at least one hour of unpaid leave for each 30 hours worked when the leave is taken for medical appointments, such as those related to the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or injury, or for the care of a family member who has an illness or injury. In addition, employers must provide employees with at least one week of unpaid leave for bereavement or family emergencies. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries specifically states that employers cannot require unpaid leave to be taken for any reason other than those mentioned above. Employers are also not allowed to discipline employees for taking unpaid leaves in accordance with the Washington Minimum Wage Act.

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Are employers allowed to require employees to take unpaid leave?

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