Content current as of 12/04/25
Tacoma’s Paid Sick Leave
Employers in the City of Tacoma are required to follow the State of Washington’s paid sick leave laws as outlined in RCW 49.46 and City of Tacoma’s laws outlined in Tacoma Municipal Code Chapter 18.10. State and City laws align in most areas. City laws are more expansive in some areas as described in the table below.
Paid Sick Leave (PSL) Laws for the City of Tacoma and Washington State
Who is covered? | City Law/Rules | State Law/Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Employees who work within the City as defined by TMC 18.10; including salaried workers, public elected or appointed officials, and Rail employees. | Employees who work within the State as defined by RCW 49.46.010, and excludes most salaried workers, public elected or appointed officials and Rail employees. | |
| Reason for use | -Illness, medical need, mental health -Safety: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking -Place of business is closed by public official for health-related reason -Child’s school or place of care is closed by public official -Bereavement | -Illness, medical need, mental health -Safety: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking -Place of business is closed by public official for health-related reason -Child’s school or place of care is closed by public official for health-related reason |
If you worked in Tacoma and believe your employer violated paid sick leave laws, please submit a complaint to the State of Washington Labor & Industries (L&I).
File A Complaint to the State of WashingtonIf L&I does not accept your complaint, it may qualify as a violation under TMC Title 18 – Paid Sick Leave. If the reason L&I did not accept it is due to any of the following reasons, you may submit a complaint to the City.
- You are a salaried, public elected or appointed official, or a Rail employee
- Use of sick leave due to your child’s school or place of care being closed by a public official for something other than a health-related reason
- Use of sick leave for bereavement