When is an employer required to approve an employee's request to use a personal holiday?
(1) An employer must approve the use of a personal holiday as long as:
(a) The employee is entitled to a personal holiday in accordance with RCW
1.16.050 and WAC
357-31-055;
(b) The employee has requested the personal holiday in accordance with the employer's leave procedures; and
(c) The employee's absence does not interfere with the operational needs of the employer.
(2) At any time, an employer must allow an employee to use part or all of the personal holiday for any of the following reasons:
(a) To care for a minor/dependent child with a health condition that requires treatment or supervision;
(b) To care for a spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, parent-in-law or grandparent of the employee who has a serious health condition or an emergency health condition;
(c) If the employee or the employee's family member is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking as defined in RCW
49.76.020. An employer may require the request for leave under this section be supported by verification in accordance with WAC
357-31-730;
(d) In accordance with WAC
357-31-373, for an employee to be with a spouse or registered domestic partner who is a member of the armed forces of the United States, National Guard, or reserves after the military spouse or registered domestic partner has been notified of an impending call or order to active duty, before deployment, or when the military spouse or registered domestic partner is on leave from deployment;
(e) If the employee requests to use their personal holiday as a supplemental benefit while receiving a partial wage replacement for paid family and/or medical leave under Title
50A RCW. Leave taken under this subsection may be subject to verification that the employee has been approved to receive benefits for paid family and/or medical leave under Title
50A RCW;
(f) When a high-risk employee seeks an accommodation to protect themselves from the risk of exposure to an infectious or contagious disease and the employer determines no other accommodation is reasonable besides the use of leave; or
(g) If the employee requests to use their personal holiday when granted a temporary leave of absence for legislative service in accordance with WAC
357-31-374(2).
[Statutory Authority: RCW
41.06.133. WSR 23-24-021, § 357-31-070, filed 11/28/23, effective 1/1/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
41.06.133,
41.04.120, and chapter
49.100 RCW. WSR 22-24-027, § 357-31-070, filed 11/30/22, effective 1/1/23. Statutory Authority: Chapter
41.06 RCW. WSR 22-12-076, § 357-31-070, filed 5/27/22, effective 7/1/22. Statutory Authority: Chapter
41.06 RCW and RCW
50A.15.060. WSR 20-06-008, § 357-31-070, filed 2/20/20, effective 5/1/20. Statutory Authority: Chapter
41.06 RCW. WSR 09-17-057 and 09-18-112, § 357-31-070, filed 8/13/09 and 9/2/09, effective 12/3/09; WSR 09-03-013, § 357-31-070, filed 1/9/09, effective 2/13/09; WSR 08-15-043, § 357-31-070, filed 7/11/08, effective 10/1/08; WSR 07-03-054, § 357-31-070, filed 1/12/07, effective 2/15/07; WSR 05-08-136, § 357-31-070, filed 4/6/05, effective 7/1/05.]