Washington Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
In Washington State, paid bereavement leave is mandated only for state employees—who receive three days of paid leave upon the death of a family or household member per WAC 357-31-250—while private sector employees have no state-mandated bereavement leave and must rely on their employer’s policies or collective bargaining agreements for eligibility, qualifying events, duration, and compensation.
In Washington State, bereavement leave policies differ between public and private sector employees. Below is an overview of bereavement leave in Washington, including eligibility, qualifying events, duration, and compensation.
What is Paid Bereavement Leave?
Paid bereavement leave is compensated time off granted to employees following the death of a family or household member. This leave allows individuals to attend funerals, manage personal affairs, and grieve without financial strain.
Does Washington Have Bereavement Leave Laws That Differ from Federal Bereavement Leave Laws?
Washington State has specific provisions for state employees that differ from federal regulations. While federal law does not mandate bereavement leave, Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 357-31-250 entitles state employees to three days of paid bereavement leave upon the death of a family or household member.
For private sector employees, Washington State does not require employers to provide leave or pay for bereavement. These benefits may be found in employer policies or collective bargaining agreements.
What Counts as a Qualifying Event for Bereavement Leave in Washington?
For state employees, a qualifying event is the death of a family member or household member. Employers may require verification of the death in accordance with their leave policies.
In the private sector, qualifying events are determined by individual employer policies, as there is no state-mandated bereavement leave requirement.
Are There Requirements to be Eligible for Bereavement Leave in Washington?
State employees are eligible for bereavement leave upon the death of a family or household member. Private sector employees’ eligibility depends on their employer’s policies, as there is no state-mandated requirement for private employers to provide bereavement leave.
How Much Bereavement Leave Time are Employees Entitled to in Washington?
State employees are entitled to three days of paid bereavement leave per occurrence. An employee may request less than three days if desired.
Private sector employees’ entitlements depend on their employer’s policies, as there is no state requirement for private employers to provide bereavement leave.
Who is Considered Immediate Family for Bereavement Leave in Washington?
For state employees, “family member” includes:
- Spouse
- Registered domestic partner
- Child
- Parent
- Sibling
- Grandparent
- Grandchild
“Household member” refers to individuals residing in the same household as the employee.
Private employers may have their own definitions within their bereavement leave policies.
Is Bereavement Leave Required to be a Paid Leave in Washington?
For state employees, bereavement leave is paid.
Private employers in Washington are not required by law to provide paid bereavement leave; any such provisions are at the employer’s discretion.
Does Bereavement Leave Have to Be Taken Within a Certain Timeframe in Washington?
State employees should use bereavement leave immediately following the qualifying event. Private sector employees should refer to their employer’s policies for specific timeframes.
Who Pays for Paid Bereavement Leave in Washington?
For state employees, the state government covers the cost of paid bereavement leave. In the private sector, if an employer offers paid bereavement leave, the employer bears the cost.
Conclusion
In Washington State, state employees are entitled to three days of paid bereavement leave per occurrence following the death of a family or household member.
Private sector employees’ access to bereavement leave depends on their employer’s policies, as there is no state mandate requiring private employers to provide such leave. Employers are encouraged to establish clear bereavement leave policies to support their employees during times of loss.
Related
Kentucky Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Kentucky does not have state or federal laws mandating bereavement leave for private-sector employees, leaving such policies and definitions of qualifying events, duration, and compensation to individual employers, while state employees may receive up to five days of accrued leave upon the death of an immediate family member under Kentucky Administrative Regulation 101 KAR 2:102.
Maryland Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Maryland's bereavement leave laws, governed by the Maryland Flexible Leave Act (MFLA) effective October 1, 2021, require employers with 15 or more employees to allow eligible workers to use accrued paid leave for bereavement following the death of an immediate family member—including children, spouses, and parents—enabling employees to receive regular wages during time off for grieving and related matters, a provision not mandated by federal law.
Virginia Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
In Virginia, there are no state laws mandating bereavement leave for private sector employees, so policies—including eligibility, qualifying events, duration, and compensation—are determined individually by employers, typically covering paid time off for the death of immediate family members to allow employees to grieve and manage related affairs.
Louisiana Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
In Louisiana, bereavement leave for private-sector employees is not mandated by state or federal law and is determined by individual employer policies regarding eligibility, qualifying events, duration, and compensation, while state employees may receive funeral leave under Louisiana State Civil Service Rule 11.23.1 with appointing authority approval.
Iowa Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
Iowa does not have state or federal laws mandating bereavement leave, so such leave—including eligibility, qualifying events, duration, and pay—is determined solely by individual employers, who typically define qualifying family relationships and may require documentation.
Nebraska Bereavement Leave Laws - WorkforceHub
In Nebraska, bereavement leave for private-sector employees is not mandated by state or federal law and is determined by individual employers, while state employees are entitled to up to five days of paid bereavement leave for the death of a family member as defined by the Nebraska Administrative Code.