PDFWAC 357-31-326

When may an employer grant leave with pay?

(1) A general government employer may grant leave with pay for an employee to perform civil duties as a volunteer including, but not limited to, firefighting, search and rescue efforts, or donating blood. Leave granted to participate in blood and plasma donations must not exceed five days in a two-year period.
(2) A higher education employer may grant leave with pay for an employee to perform civil duties as a volunteer including, but not limited to, firefighting, search and rescue efforts, participating in life-giving procedures, or donating blood. Leave granted to participate in life-giving procedures must not exceed five days in a two-year period.
(3) In the department of natural resources, leave with pay equivalent to one regular workshift may be allowed for the purpose of rest and recuperation after ten consecutive calendar days performing emergency work under an incident command system, defined in RCW 38.52.010. The employer may grant one additional day of leave with pay for rest and recuperation after twenty-one consecutive calendar days performing emergency work under an incident command system.
(4) When a higher education employee is required by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to self-quarantine due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but is otherwise healthy and has not tested positive for COVID-19, and the employer has determined the employee does not have the option to telework. An employer may subsequently determine that a telework option exists for the employee and direct the employee to telework. If the employee is directed to telework under this subsection and declines to do so, the employee must use other available leave options. The employee may receive up to fourteen days of leave with pay under this subsection. This subsection is effective until the expiration of proclamation 20-05, issued February 29, 2020, by the governor and declaring an emergency in the state of Washington, or any amendment thereto, whichever is later. An employer may require written verification, including verification submitted electronically, confirming the circumstances warranting the self-quarantine or inability to telework, which may include a signed affidavit from the employee or any other information requested by the employer.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 41.06 RCW. WSR 20-24-019, § 357-31-326, filed 11/20/20, effective 12/28/20; WSR 17-18-029, § 357-31-326, filed 8/28/17, effective 10/2/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 41.06.133. WSR 17-11-049, § 357-31-326, filed 5/15/17, effective 6/19/17. Statutory Authority: Chapter 41.06 RCW. WSR 09-03-014, § 357-31-326, filed 1/9/09, effective 2/13/09.]