Workers within Tacoma City Limits became eligible to earn paid sick leave on February 1, 2016. The leave can be used for the health, safety, and family care needs outlined below. Some work sites with Tacoma addresses are outside city limits, but the tool below can help you determine whether you work within city limits.
Check if your workplace is in the City of Tacoma
When can leave be used?
Leave can be used for all of the following reasons:
- Medical or mental health condition, injury, or preventative care (either for the employee or their family member)
- When an employee’s place of business has been closed by order of a public official or to care for a child whose school has been closed by order of a public official
- To seek law enforcement or legal help for domestic violence or sexual assault (either for the employee or their family member)
- To seek safety from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking (either for the employee or their family member)
- For bereavement of a family member (child, spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent)
How do I use my leave?
Paid sick leave may be used in increments of one hour or greater and may be used to cover all or part of a shift, unless your employer has established a minimum use policy setting a different increment of time.
Employees may use Paid Sick Leave upon request:
- Foreseeable paid sick leave should be requested ten days prior or as soon as possible before the leave is needed (or pursuant to the employer’s policies)
- Unforeseeable paid sick leave should be requested as soon as is practical and must generally comply with the employer’s policies
What are my rights?
Interfering with, restraining, or attempting to deny the exercise of any right protected under the Tacoma Municipal Code (TMC) Chapter 18.10 "Paid Sick Leave" or Paid Sick Leave Rules is prohibited. Retaliation and/or absence control polices which include adverse action for an employee’s use of paid sick leave are violations of TMC 18.10 and may result in citation and/or civil penalties. If you have questions about your rights to paid sick leave or wish to report a violation, please contact us. TMC 18.10 prohibits employers from retaliating when an employee reports a violation.
Want to learn more?
Visit the
Employee Frequently Asked Question page or find more information by reviewing TMC 18.10 and the
Paid Sick Leave Rules. Additional questions?
Email us or call (253) 591-5306.