New sick leave payout requirements exempt residential construction

December 9, 2023

New sick leave payout requirements go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. These requirements do not apply to non-union workers in residential construction. They only apply to union construction workers.

New sick leave payout requirements

During the 2023 legislative session, legislators approved a bill to ensure union construction workers who work in short-term jobs receive adequate paid sick leave. Sen. Karen Keiser, who sponsored the bill, said she was trying to make sure union apprentices and those in training received the sick leave they deserve despite the fact they may not work the 90 days required to take the leave under state law.

The new law requires covered workers to be paid the balance of their accrued and unused sick leave at the end of the established pay period following the worker’s separation.

Residential construction exempt

Because most apprenticeships and union training programs provide workers to union employers, not to residential home builders, the legislature exempted non-union workers who perform residential construction work from the new requirements.

Questions?

If you’re still confused as to whether this applies to you, you can email Bridget Osborne, Fraud Prevention & Labor Standards/Employment Standards at esrules@lni.wa.gov or attend one of the free webinars the Department of Labor and Industries is hosting on this new requirement.

The “Changes to the Paid Sick Leave Requirements for the Construction Industry” webinar will be a 60-minute presentation. Hosted by the paid sick leave specialist from L&I’s Employment Standards Program, the program will include the opportunity to ask questions.

Webinar schedule

• Dec. 12 at 1:30 p.m.
• Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.
• Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.
• Jan. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
• Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
• Jan. 16 at 10 a.m.
• Jan. 18 at 10 a.m.

L&I also offers a “Paid Sick Leave Overview” webinar covering rule updates and existing regulations for Paid Sick Leave, including PTO programs, notifications, frontloading, and more.

Webinar schedule

• Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m.
• Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
• Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.
• March 26 at 1:30 p.m.

You can register for the webinars at LNI Workshops & Training Center. Search for the session you want to attend in the event title drop-down menu.

Once you register, you will receive information on how to access the webinar.