Yes. Under certain conditions, employees with paid leave may use earned paid time off to care for a sick family member under Washington’s Family Care Act.
In general, if the employee is eligible to use the paid leave for his or her own illnesses, he or she must also be allowed to use it for a family member who is ill. A family member includes children, parents, spouses, registered domestic partners, parents-in-law, and grandparents. It does not include siblings, aunts and uncles, grandchildren, or grandparents-in-law.
Nicole M. Bolan, Attorney at Law
Blado Kiger Bolan, Tacoma, Wash.