Paid Leave Preemption: Auburn vs Seattle
How do paid leave preemption rules compare between Auburn, WA and Seattle, WA?
Auburn has fewer restrictions than Seattle.
Auburn, WA
King County
Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program (RCW 49.86) provides up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave, and RCW 49.46.200 requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave per 40 hours worked.
View full Auburn rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle's Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance SMC 14.16 requires every employer to give workers paid leave that accrues from the first hour worked, usable for illness, family care, domestic violence, and public health closures.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| PFML law | RCW 49.86 | - |
| Eligibility | 820 hours worked | After 90 days |
| Sick leave | 1 hour per 40 worked | - |
| Sick law | RCW 49.46.200 | - |
| Code section | - | SMC 14.16 |
| Tier 1 accrual | - | 1 per 40 hours |
| Tier 3 accrual | - | 1 per 30 hours |
| Double damages | - | On unpaid leave |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
How many weeks of paid family leave can I get?
Up to 12 weeks of family or medical leave, or 16 to 18 weeks combined in certain pregnancy or serious health cases, under RCW 49.86 if you worked at least 820 qualifying hours.
Does paid sick leave roll over?
Yes. Up to 40 hours of unused paid sick leave must roll over each year under RCW 49.46.210, with employer-specific caps allowed only for higher accrual or front-loaded balances.
Seattle FAQ
Can leave be used for childcare closures?
Yes. Safe leave covers school or workplace closures by a public official for any health-related reason, plus a child's school or place of care closure due to weather or emergency.
Does Washington state law apply too?
Yes. The state minimum applies, but Seattle's Tier-2 and Tier-3 accrual rates and safe-leave coverage exceed state law and govern when more generous to workers.
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