Q: Can sick time be used in WA for non-work injury? Employer said no.
Can an employee use sick time to leave early to rest from a previous injury? My manager told an employee that they cannot use their sick time to leave early because it was not a work-related injury and they aren't technically sick. The employee in question broke their ankle a year ago, which sometimes gets sore; they stand on a reach lift for 9.5 hours. As far as I know, our company does not have additional policies beyond state law, and we haven't denied employees from using sick time for non-work-related injuries before.
A:
You are entitled to use sick leave for any illness, it does not have to be a work related illness.
According the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, employers are required to allow you to use accrued sick leave for
employees or their family members for any of the following reasons:
A mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.
To diagnose, care for, or treat a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition.
To receive preventive medical care.
For leave that qualifies under the state’s Domestic Violence Leave Act.
If an employee's workplace, or their child's school or place of care, has been closed by order of a public official for a health-related reason.
https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/leave/paid-sick-leave/paid-sick-leave-minimum-requirements#authorized-uses-of-paid-sick-leave
You may want to share the link with your employer
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