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Seattle employees to receive new Paid Sick and Safe Time benefit

On September 1, 2012, employees in the City of Seattle will begin to accrue paid sick and paid safe time (PSST) for use when an employee or family member needs to take time off from work due to illness or a critical safety issue. 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.

PSST Video: Why Seattle Works Well

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.

The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) is working closely with Seattle employers to implement the new requirements. SOCR offers free presentations and technical assistance, as well as brochures, posters and other materials.

For more information about paid sick and safe time, visit www.seattle.gov/civilrights, e-mail psstquestions@seattle.gov or call 206-684-4500.


General Information


Map showing Seattle City boundaries

View a map showing Seattle's boundary lines

On the left side of the page, click on the "Detailed Zoning" layer in the "Zoning" section (third section) to add shading that defines Seattle city limits. Enter an address or a neighborhood in the top left field to zero in on the location you are interested in. Click on "Building Outlines" to view specific lots; zoom in to read street names.

View a map showing Seattle's census tracts and zip code areas (PDF)


City to conduct assessment of impact of PSST Ordinance

As part of the Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance, the Office of the City Auditor will evaluate the ordinance's implementation and early effects. The Office of the City Auditor has contracted with the University of Washington to conduct the evaluation, including a Seattle Employer Survey. For questions or comments about the evaluation study, contact Principal Investigator Jennifer Romich, PhD, at romich@uw.edu or 206.616.6121.

City Auditor: About the PSST Evaluation (PDF)


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How to file a complaint about Paid Sick/Safe Time (PSST)

Taped Webinar on Paid Sick/Safe Time – arranged by Dorsey & Whitmey LLP, featuring SOCR enforcement manager Mike Chin. (Access to the Webinar is free at this external site, but you will be asked to register by name/contact information.)

Webinar – audio file only (registration not required)


To schedule a presentation for your organization, please contact Jacque Larrainzar at 206-684-4533.


Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance – Office of the City Clerk

Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance – PDF version

Administrative Rules for Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance – final version adopted June 29, 2012

Administrative Rules for Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance – PDF version

For more information and technical assistance about the Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance:
elliott.bronstein@seattle.gov or call 206-684-4500


Resources

Paid Sick & Safe Time Poster

Paid Sick & Safe Time Brochure

Sample MOU for Collective Bargaining Agreements
Sample negotiated waiver language for bona fide collective bargaining agreements, as described in SMC 14.16.120.

Model Notice: employer letter to employees about the PSST Ordinance
This Word doc is designed to help employers create a letter to inform employees about Seattle's Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance.

Powerpoint presentation on Seattle's Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance (PPT)


Implementing Earned Sick Days Laws: Learning from Seattle's Experience

CLASP has published an article that describes how SOCR implemented Seattle's new Paid Sick/Safe Time Ordinance, including its rule-making process and outreach campaign to employers and the public. CLASP is an organization that develops and advocates for federal, state and local policies to strengthen families and low income communities. Read the article here.