If you’re an employee in Washington State, you’re probably wondering how much vacation time you can carry over from one year to the next. The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think, but don’t worry – we’ve got all the information you need to know.
Understanding Washington State Law
In Washington State, there are no state laws that require employers to provide paid vacation time. However, if your employer does offer vacation time as part of your benefits package, they must follow certain rules when it comes to accruing and carrying over unused time.
Accruing Vacation Time
Under Washington State law, employers can choose one of two methods for accruing vacation time:
- Pro-rata: This means that you earn a certain amount of vacation time based on the number of hours worked. For example, if your employer offers two weeks (80 hours) of vacation per year and you work 40 hours per week, you would accrue one week (40 hours) of vacation after working for six months.
- Lump-sum: This means that you receive all of your vacation time at once at the beginning of each year.
Carrying Over Unused Vacation Time
If your employer uses the pro-rata method for accruing vacation time, they must allow you to carry over any unused time into the next year. However, there are limits to how much time you can carry over:
- If your employer offers less than two weeks (80 hours) of vacation per year, they cannot limit how much vacation time you can carry over.
- If your employer offers two weeks or more of vacation per year, they can limit how much unused time you can carry over to the following year. The maximum amount they can limit you to is either two times your annual accrual rate or 40 hours, whichever is greater.
It’s important to note that if your employer uses the lump-sum method for accruing vacation time, they may not allow you to carry over any unused time into the next year.
What Happens to Unused Vacation Time When You Leave Your Job?
If you leave your job and have unused vacation time, your employer must pay you for that time. However, they may be able to deduct the cost of any vacation time you took but did not earn yet from your final paycheck.
Final Thoughts
While Washington State law doesn’t require employers to provide vacation time, many do as part of their benefits package. If your employer does offer vacation time, make sure you understand how it accrues and how much you’re allowed to carry over from one year to the next. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead and use your vacation time wisely so that you don’t lose any hours at the end of the year.