Washington adds four things to the federal rules: a state paid family and medical leave program, a long-term care program, a paid sick leave rule and, from 2027, a state retirement savings program.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program is funded by premiums. Employers with fewer than 50 employees do not have to pay the employer portion. Employers with 50 or more pay it.
WA Cares Fund
WA Cares is the state’s long-term care program. Its premium is 0.58% of an employee’s gross wages, and employees pay it. Employers do not pay any share, though they may choose to pay some or all of their employees’ share.
Paid sick leave
Every Washington employer must provide at least one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours an employee works. That applies to full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal staff alike.
Retirement savings: Washington Saves
Washington Saves is in development and is expected to launch in July 2027. Employers that meet its rules and do not offer a qualified retirement plan will have to make it available. If you are thinking about a plan of your own, now is a good time to ask.
Questions to bring to your advisor
- How many employees do we have for Paid Family and Medical Leave purposes?
- Should we pay any of our employees’ WA Cares premium?
- Will Washington Saves apply to us, and would our own plan be a better fit?
- How should we track sick leave for part-time and seasonal staff?
