Seattle Ordinance Requires Employers To Provide Paid Sick Leave, ‘Safe Time’

SEATTLE—Mayor Mike McGinn (D) Sept. 23 signed into law an ordinance that adds Seattle to the list of cities in the nation mandating that businesses grant paid sick leave to their employees.

The ordinance, which goes into effect Sept. 1, 2012, requires that companies with more than four employees give at least five paid days if an employee is sick, needs to attend to a sick family member, or has been subjected to domestic violence and has to help law enforcement or participate in court proceedings.

Domestic violence-related leave under the ordinance is called “paid safe time.” Paid sick leave ...