The Seattle City Council today approved a bill Monday requiring businesses in Seattle to provide paid leave to employees when they or their family members fall ill or victim to domestic violence.
The legislation establishes minimum standards for paid sick and safe time based on company size. Workers in companies with 5 to 249 employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid sick and safe time for every 40 hours worked. Workers in companies with 250 or more employees will accrue a minimum of one hour for every 30 hours worked.
The paid sick leave issue has been a hot button one for Seattle businesses, including some in Fremont.
The new regulations will take effect on September 1, 2012, giving businesses a full year to adjust their personnel policies. Certain start-up companies and micro-businesses will be exempt in their first two years of operation.
For Councilmember statements on the impact of this legislation to the City, visit http://www.seattle.gov/council/newsdetail.asp?ID=12072&Dept=28.
For more information on the history of the paid sick leave legislation in Seattle, visit the Council’s information page at http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/paid_sick_leave/.