Seattle Categorizes Businesses By # Of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Employees
Seattle categorizes businesses into three tiers based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees:
Tier 1: Small Employers (1-49 FTEs)
- Accrual Rate: Employees earn 1 hour of PSST for every 40 hours worked.
- Usage Cap: No specific annual cap on use.
- Carryover: Employees can carry over up to 40 hours of unused PSST to the next year.
Tier 2: Medium Employers (50-249 FTEs)
- Accrual Rate: Employees earn 1 hour of PSST for every 40 hours worked.
- Usage Cap: No specific annual cap on use.
- Carryover: Employees can carry over up to 56 hours of unused PSST to the next year.
Tier 3: Large Employers (250+ FTEs)
- Accrual Rate: Employees earn 1 hour of PSST for every 30 hours worked.
- Usage Cap: No specific annual cap on use.
- Carryover: Employees can carry over up to 72 hours of unused PSST to the next year.
- Additional Requirement: If a Tier 3 employer has an hourly workforce (like restaurants or retail), they must provide paid PSST for missed shifts due to public health closures.
Key Compliance Requirements for Employers
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Notification & Tracking
- Employers must inform employees of their PSST rights through workplace postings and policies.
- Employers must provide regular statements (such as pay stubs) showing the balance of accrued PSST.
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Usage & Restrictions
- Employees can use PSST for their own illness, medical care, or the care of a family member.
- PSST can also be used for safe time, such as dealing with domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault situations.
- Employees can use PSST when their workplace or their child’s school/daycare is closed due to public health concerns.
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Employer Policies & Documentation
- Employers may not require documentation for absences of three days or fewer.
- For absences longer than three consecutive days, employers can request documentation (such as a doctor’s note), but they must cover any associated costs.
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Retaliation Protection
- Employers cannot fire, demote, or penalize employees for using PSST.
Who Is Covered?
- Full-time, part-time, temporary, and gig workers (if classified as employees) are covered.
- Independent contractors are not covered under this law.