Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Seattle's Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance went into effect on September 1, 2012.
The Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance (PSST) requires employers to provide paid sick and safe time for employees. PSST can be used for an employee's absence from work due to illness, medical appointments, or critical safety issue, including domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
The ordinance applies to all employers with more than four full-time equivalent employees. All employees are eligible for the new benefit, including full time, part-time and temporary workers.
Employees will be able to use their accrued PSST as paid time off:
- To deal with their own illness, injury or health condition.
- To take care of a family member (including domestic partners) with an illness, injury or medical appointment.
- When their place of business has been closed by order of a public official for health reasons.
- For reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
PSST Rates (Accrual/Use/Carry Over) by Employer Size
| General Information | Small (Tier 1) Employer | Medium (Tier 2) Employer | Large (Tier 3) Employer |
| Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) | More than 4–49 FTEs | 50–249 FTEs | 250 or more FTEs |
| Accrual of PSST per hours worked | 1 hour per 40 hours | 1 hour per 40 hours | 1 hour per 30 hours |
| Use of and carry over of unused PSST (per calendar year) |
40 hours | 56 hours | 72 hours *108 hours for employers with PTO |
Publications and Resources
Fact Sheets
Questions & Answers (Q&A)
- Paid Sick and Safe Time (Revised 07/2016)
- Paid Sick and Safe Time (Revised 07/2016)
- Safe Time (Revised 10/2015)
Rules and Ordinances
- Enforcement Procedures -
Practices for Administering Paid Sick Time and Paid Safe Time under SMC 14.16 (Chapter 70) - Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) -
Paid Sick and Safe Time (Chapter 14.16) - Seattle City Council -
Paid Sick and Safe Time (Ordinance 123698, Council Bill 117216)
The Office of Labor Standards has jurisdiction within Seattle city limits.
If your situation does not qualify for investigation by us, we will refer you to another agency for help.
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