Employees: New Paid Sick Leave & Minimum Wage Increase

December 18, 2017

New Paid Sick Leave & Minimum Wage Increase

Initiative Measure No. 1433 (I-1433) was passed by Washington State voters on November 8, 2016 and was written into Chapter 49.46 RCW Minimum Wage Requirements and Labor Standards. In addition to increasing the minimum wage, it requires Western to provide employees with paid sick leave. This law does not apply to employees who are ineligible for overtime such as Professional Staff employees, Executive Officers and Faculty.

Paid Sick Leave

Who is primarily impacted at Western?

  • Hourly student employees (including work study students)
  • Temporary hourly Classified employees
  • Temporary hourly Professional Staff employees

How much sick leave will I accrue?

You will accrue 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours you work.

When will I start accruing sick leave?

You will begin accruing sick leave for all hours worked on and after January 1, 2018.

How much will I be paid for sick leave taken?

You will be paid your normal hourly rate you would have been paid if had you worked.

What can I use the sick leave for?

You may use this accrued paid sick leave for the following reasons:

  • To care for yourself or a family member (please refer to RCW 49.46.210(2) for a full list of eligible family members).
  • When you or a family member is the victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking.
  • In the event Western or your child’s school or place of care is closed by a public official for any health-related reason.

How do I report my sick leave taken?

Sick leave must be reported on the sick leave row of your time sheet. The sick leave row will appear on your time sheet starting in January.

*Retaliation for using paid sick leave for authorized purposes is prohibited.

Minimum Wage Increase

Washington State’s minimum wage will increase from $11.00 to $11.50 per hour starting on January 1, 2018.

More information and training will be made available over the next month. For questions, please email Human Resources at hr@wwu.edu or the Student Employment Center at cswe@wwu.edu.