Local Northshore Rep. Gerry Pollett has co-sponsored House Bill 1163, concerning vacation leave within Washington State.

The bill, which was read during the Jan. 14 session, would require employers to give workers from all income levels time away from work to be with family or rejuvenate ones self.

“The United States is the only advanced economy that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation time,” section 1 from HB 1163. “Therefore, the [Washington State] legislature intends to improve the health and quality of life of its workers, family connections, and workplace productivity by requiring minimum paid vacation leave for Washington workers.”

According to the bill, an employee is entitled to the leave after the initial six-months after hiring, though the employer may require up to 12 months of employment before the requested leave is authorized.

Leave would also accrue for employees who work less than the 40-hour workweek. Leave would also remain intact for those who are terminated and rehired.

The bill makes it illegal for employees to deny leave unless the employer demonstrates a business necessity for denying the requested time off and for employers to retaliate against employees due to their requested time off.

Employers who violate the proposed legislation would be subject to a civil fine of around $500 for the first violation and $1,000 for subsequent violations.

While HB 1163 proposes minimum vacation leave requirements, more generous vacation packages wouldn’t be impacted, nor would packages created by collective bargaining be impacted if it meets the minimum requirements.

According to the bill, approximately 30-percent of the nation’s low-wage workers get paid time-off from employers, whereas 85-percent of high wage workers do get employee paid time off.