Seattle’s Paid Sick Time and Safe Time Ordinance

Proposed Administrative Rules for Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance

Office for Civil Rights invited public comment until April 30

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights has proposed Administrative Rules for the City Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance. Members of the public have until Monday, April 30, 2012 to comment on the proposed Rules.

Comments and questions from the public will be used to shape the final language of the Rules, which define terms used in the ordinance, as well as clarify how SOCR will conduct enforcement. You can send comments via e-mail to rulecomment@seattle.gov or in writing to:

Seattle Office for Civil Rights
810 Third Ave., Suite 750
Seattle, WA  98104-1627
Attn:  Paid Sick/Safe Time Rule Comment

You can also comment online at http://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/comment.htm or telephone 206-684-4507.

Two community meetings scheduled for public comment

Two community meetings have been scheduled to take comments on the draft Rules. Both meetings are free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 12, 8:30-10:30 am.
Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall
600 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle

Tuesday, April 17, 3-5 pm.
Treehouse, 2100 24th Ave. S. Room A

For more information about the meetings, to request language interpretation or an accommodation for a disability, contact Thai Nguyen at 206-684-4514 or thai.nguyen@seattle.gov.

Summary of the Ordinance

Summary of Seattle's new Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance         Ordinance summary - download version

On September 12, 2011, Seattle City Council passed Ordinance #123698, establishing minimum standards for the provision of paid sick and paid safe leave. When the ordinance takes effect on September 1, 2012, covered employers will be required to provide paid sick/safe leave to their employees, with some exceptions.

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) is responsible for developing rules to administer the ordinance, and to enforce the ordinance once it goes into effect. SOCR also is available to provide technical assistance to employers and employees. For more information, please call 206-684-4507, e-mail elliott.bronstein@seattle.gov, or fill out a Customer Feedback form.

Below is a summary of the ordinance's key provisions. SOCR will release a more detailed FAQ document in December to address a variety of specific questions from employers, employees and the general public. If you have a question you'd like answered, or if you wish to be added to our contact list, please contact Elliott Bronstein at 206-684-4507 or by e-mail.

When does the ordinance go into effect?
The ordinance goes into effect on September 1, 2012.

Which employees does the ordinance cover?
The ordinance applies to full-time, part-time, and temporary employees who perform more than 240 hours of work in Seattle within a calendar year. Employees who occasionally work in Seattle are covered if they perform more than 240 hours of work in Seattle within a calendar year. The ordinance does not apply to work study employees and employees of other government employers.

Which employers does the ordinance cover?
Ordinance summary - download version Employers with 5 or more "full-time equivalent employees" (FTEs) are required to provide paid sick/safe leave to covered employees. An employer's specific obligations depend on the number of the employer's FTEs.

How do employees accrue the paid sick/safe leave benefit?
Employees' accrual rate depends on the size of the employer:

• Tier One - More than 4 and fewer than 50 FTEs: Employees accrue 1 hour for every 40 hours worked, up to a 40-hour cap.


• Tier Two - At least 50 and fewer than 250 FTEs: Employees accrue 1 hour for every 40 hours worked, up to a 56-hour cap.


• Tier Three - Employers with 250 or more FTEs: Employees accrue 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to a 72-hour cap.

Timeline for implementing the ordinance

Timeline for Implementation: Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance

January / February 2012
Community forums hosted by SOCR to hear the public's questions and suggestions regarding implementation of the ordinance, and to make sure that the Rules address these topics:

Tuesday, January 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
Seattle City Hall, Bertha Landis Room

Wednesday, February 1, 7-8:30 p.m.
Roosevelt High School, The Commons Room, 1410 NE 66th St.

Thursday, February 9, 7-8:30 p.m.
Jefferson Community Center, Hassselburg Hall, 3801 Beacon Ave S

May 2012 through October 2012
SOCR will hire a part-time campaign person/firm to ensure employers and employees in Seattle are aware of how the new law works:

• May / June: Materials and planning


• July / August: Pre-9/1/12 information campaign


• September / October: Post-9/1/12 information campaign

Seattle map showing city boundaries